IF by Rudyard Kipling (A Life Changing Poem)

IF by Rudyard Kipling (A Life Changing Poem)

Rudyard Kipling was a prolific poet, novelist and journalist and one of the most well-known Victorian writers of his time. In 1907, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for his great body of work which included 'The Jungle Book' and his enduring poetic masterpiece 'If'.

In perhaps one of the most inspirational poems ever written, Kipling outlines for his son the behaviours and attitudes it takes to become a man, advising his son about how to perceive the world and life's challenges so that he can both learn from his experiences and resolutely overcome barriers.

This poem is one of our favourites and we hope you find our rendition of it worthy of the words.

We worked with the following artists to produce this reading:

Exclusive voice-over by Shane Morris 

Score by MusicBed

https://youtu.be/6SfPf-_OavY

"If—" is a poem by Rudyard Kipling that offers advice on how to live with integrity and resilience, emphasizing the importance of character and perseverance.

Full Text of the Poem

Here is the complete text of "If—":

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;

If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings,

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And—which is more—you'll be a Man, my son! 

Poetry Foundation

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Themes and Significance

The poem emphasizes qualities such as resilience, humility, and integrity. It serves as a guide for personal conduct and the development of character, encouraging readers to remain steadfast in the face of adversity and to maintain their values regardless of external pressures. Kipling's use of conditional statements creates a powerful framework for understanding what it means to be a mature and responsible individual.

For further exploration, you can read more about the poem and its interpretations on platforms like the Poetry Foundation and Academy of American Poets.