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!
Unlocking the Wisdom of Rudyard Kipling’s “If”
Rudyard Kipling’s “If” stands as a monumental work in English literature, a powerful and enduring piece of advice presented in poetic form. This timeless poem, often considered a guide to virtuous living, has resonated with generations, offering profound insights into character, resilience, and self-mastery. It challenges readers to cultivate a specific set of virtues, promising that the embrace of these qualities leads to a life of purpose and true fulfillment. The poem’s universal appeal lies in its clear, direct language and its focus on internal strength over external circumstances, making it a constant source of inspiration for anyone seeking to navigate life’s complexities with integrity.
Understanding “If”: A Concise Summary
The poem “If” is essentially a father’s counsel to his son, outlining a series of conditional virtues that, if mastered, will lead to an admirable and successful life. It presents a blueprint for developing an unshakeable character, emphasizing emotional control, humility, perseverance, and integrity. The central idea revolves around the concept of self-mastery in the face of adversity and temptation. Kipling suggests that true strength lies not in avoiding challenges, but in how one responds to them, maintaining composure and moral rectitude regardless of external pressures.
Common people should know that “If” is not merely a list of desirable traits, but a profound exploration of what it means to be a complete and honorable individual. It advocates for a balanced approach to life, where one can dream without being consumed by ambition, think deeply without becoming dogmatic, and treat both triumph and disaster with equal measure. The poem’s enduring popularity stems from its practical wisdom, offering actionable principles for navigating personal struggles and societal expectations, ultimately defining success not by material gain, but by the strength and purity of one’s character.
A Deep Dive into the Craft: Analyzing “If”
The Enduring Themes and Message
Kipling’s “If” is rich with thematic depth, primarily focusing on the cultivation of an ideal character. The poem champions several core virtues, presenting them as essential components of a well-lived life.
- Self-Mastery and Emotional Regulation: The opening lines immediately establish the importance of maintaining composure:
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,This theme recurs throughout, urging control over one’s emotions, whether facing doubt, hatred, or even success. The ability to remain calm and rational amidst chaos is portrayed as a foundational strength.
- Resilience and Perseverance: The poem repeatedly stresses the need to endure setbacks and continue striving. The lines,
If you can watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:powerfully illustrate the spirit of resilience, advocating for persistent effort even when resources are depleted. Similarly, the call to “hold on when there is nothing in you / Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’” underscores the sheer power of an indomitable will.
- Humility and Integrity: Kipling advises against arrogance and dishonesty. The counsel to “not look too good, nor talk too wise” promotes humility, suggesting that genuine wisdom does not need to be ostentatiously displayed. Furthermore, the poem emphasizes integrity by stating, “Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,” advocating for honesty even when others are deceitful.
- Equanimity in Success and Failure: Perhaps one of the most famous pieces of advice in the poem is to treat “Triumph and Disaster / And treat those two impostors just the same.” This highlights the importance of emotional balance, recognizing that both extreme success and profound failure are transient and should not dictate one’s inner state or character.
- Maintaining the Common Touch: The poem encourages a balance between ambition and connection with ordinary people:
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,This suggests that true character allows one to navigate different social strata without compromising one’s values or forgetting one’s roots.
Literary Devices in “If”
Kipling masterfully employs various literary devices to imbue “If” with its memorable rhythm, profound meaning, and lasting impact.
- Anaphora: The most prominent device is the repeated use of “If you can…” at the beginning of nearly every conditional clause. This anaphora creates a powerful, rhythmic, and almost hypnotic effect, reinforcing the poem’s didactic tone and emphasizing the series of challenges presented. It builds a cumulative sense of expectation and possibility, drawing the reader deeper into the poem’s counsel.
- Metaphor and Personification: “Triumph and Disaster” are famously referred to as “two impostors.” This is a potent metaphor, suggesting that both success and failure are deceptive, fleeting, and should not be taken as definitive measures of one’s worth. By personifying them as “impostors,” Kipling warns against allowing either to unduly inflate or deflate one’s ego. Another metaphor appears in “make one heap of all your winnings / And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,” vividly portraying the courage to take calculated risks and accept potential loss.
- Imagery: While not overly descriptive, the poem uses concise yet powerful imagery to convey its messages. Phrases like “build ’em up with worn-out tools” evoke a clear picture of persistent effort and resourcefulness in the face of depletion. The image of “fill the unforgiving minute / With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run” creates a vivid sense of urgency and the importance of maximizing every moment.
- Irony: A subtle irony is present in the advice to “don’t look too good, nor talk too wise.” This suggests that true wisdom and virtue are often found in humility and moderation, challenging the superficial display of intelligence or superiority. It implies that excessive self-promotion can be counterproductive to genuine character.
- Alliteration, Assonance, and Consonance: Kipling uses sound devices to enhance the poem’s musicality and emphasize certain phrases.
- Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds, as in “don’t deal in lies,” adds a subtle rhythm and makes the phrase more memorable.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words, such as the long ‘o’ in “don’t look too good,” creates a flowing, measured quality, reinforcing the calm advice.
- Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words, like the ‘t’ sound in “treat those two impostors just the same,” adds a subtle texture and emphasizes the pairing of the two concepts.
Poetic Devices and Structure in “If”
Beyond its literary depth, the poem’s structure and form contribute significantly to its impact and enduring appeal.
- Structure and Form: “If” is composed of four eight-line stanzas, known as octaves. This consistent and balanced structure mirrors the poem’s message of order, control, and self-discipline. Each stanza builds upon the previous one, progressively outlining the qualities of an ideal individual, culminating in the powerful concluding statement.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem predominantly follows an ABAB CDCD rhyme scheme within each stanza. For example, in the first stanza, “you” (A) rhymes with “you” (A), “you” (B) rhymes with “too” (B), “waiting” (C) rhymes with “hating” (C), and “lies” (D) rhymes with “wise” (D). This consistent and predictable rhyme scheme provides a musicality and flow, making the poem highly memorable and reinforcing its sense of stability and well-ordered advice.
- Rhythm and Meter: “If” is largely written in iambic tetrameter, meaning each line typically has four iambs (an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable). This creates a steady, marching rhythm that is both accessible and authoritative. The consistent meter contributes to the poem’s didactic tone, making the advice feel measured, deliberate, and easy to follow, much like a wise mentor speaking.
- Diction and Tone: Kipling employs a formal yet accessible diction. The language is precise and deliberate, avoiding overly ornate or complex vocabulary, which ensures its universal understanding. The tone is primarily didactic, offering instruction and guidance, but it is also deeply encouraging and supportive, like a father imparting crucial life lessons to his son. This blend of authority and warmth makes the advice both compelling and comforting.
- Enjambment: While the poem often uses end-stopped lines to deliver clear, distinct pieces of advice, Kipling occasionally employs enjambment, where a sentence or phrase continues from one line to the next without a grammatical pause. For instance, “If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew / To serve your turn long after they are gone,” creates a sense of continuous effort and momentum, subtly emphasizing the relentless drive required for perseverance.
The Lasting Legacy of “If”
Rudyard Kipling’s “If” remains a beacon of moral guidance and personal strength. Its profound insights into character, resilience, and the pursuit of virtue continue to inspire readers across the globe. The poem’s masterful use of literary and poetic devices, from the insistent anaphora to its steady rhythm and powerful metaphors, ensures its message is not only understood but deeply felt and remembered. The concluding lines encapsulate the poem’s ultimate promise:
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!
This powerful culmination suggests that true dominion over the world, and indeed over oneself, is achieved not through conquest or material wealth, but through the unwavering cultivation of an honorable and disciplined character. “If” stands as a testament to the enduring power of self-mastery, offering a timeless blueprint for living a life of integrity and purpose.