IF poem by Joseph Rudyard Kipling

3 Rudyard Kipling If poem summary

7 If you can keep your head when all about you - meaning 

8 If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you - meaning

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!

 

The poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling is a didactic and inspirational piece that offers a series of hypothetical situations and advises on how to navigate them with wisdom and moral character. The poem presents a set of qualities and virtues that the poet considers important for personal growth and success.

The poem begins with the line, "If you can keep your head when all about you / Are losing theirs and blaming it on you." It emphasises the importance of maintaining composure and level-headedness during challenging times.

Throughout the poem, Kipling explores various aspects of life, such as dealing with triumph and failure, trusting oneself in the face of doubt, accepting responsibility, and staying true to one's values. Highlighting the importance of perseverance, humility, self-belief, and integrity.

Kipling advises the reader to maintain integrity and not let success or failure define one's character. He encourages the reader to trust oneself when others doubt them and to be able to handle both praise and criticism with equanimity.

The poem concludes with the lines, "Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, / And—which is more—you'll be a Man, my son!" These lines convey the idea that by embodying these virtues and qualities, one can achieve success and become a true "Man" in the broader sense of the term, representing a person of strength, character, and moral virtue.

 

 

3 WHAT'S A SUCCINCT SUMMARY OF RUDYARD KIPLING'S IF POEM?

4 WHO WAS THE IF POEM INSPIRED BY?

The "If" poem by Kipling was written as a tribute to Leander Starr Jameson, a British colonial statesman and adventurer. Jameson was a prominent figure in British South Africa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He led the failed Jameson Raid in 1895, an unauthorised military incursion into the South African Republic (Transvaal).

Rudyard Kipling was a friend of Jameson and admired his character and leadership qualities, despite the controversial nature of the Jameson Raid. Kipling wrote the poem as a response to the events surrounding Jameson and sought to capture the virtues and ideals he observed in his friend.

 Image: Framed IF RUDYARD KIPLING POSTER. The background features the failed Leander Starr Jameson raid. See it in detail here

 

5 DID KIPLING WRITE IF FOR HIS SON?

Yes, it is widely believed that Rudyard Kipling wrote the poem "If" for his son, John Kipling. John was born in 1897 and served in the British military during World War I. The poem is often seen as a father's advice to his son on how to navigate the complexities and challenges of life.

Rudyard Kipling's own experiences and observations likely influenced the sentiments expressed in the poem. Kipling himself faced personal and professional struggles throughout his life, and he drew upon those experiences to convey lessons and wisdom to his son.

 

 Image: Close up of IF RUDYARD KIPLING POSTER 'LETTER TO MY SON 2'. See the entire letter poster here.

 

6 GREAT RECITATIONS OF RUDYARD KIPLING'S IF  

Gabriela Kostadinova reciting Kipling's poem IF here

Christopher Emerson's energetic reading of the IF poem here

 

7 WHAT'S THE MEANING OF "If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you"

The opening lines highlight the importance of maintaining composure, calmness, and clear thinking in chaotic or difficult situations. It suggests that even when those around you are panicking, getting agitated, and finger pointing, you should strive to remain level-headed and composed. 

Implying that by staying calm and collected, you can navigate challenging circumstances more effectively and make better decisions.

 

Image: Close up of the first stanza of Rudyard Kipling's IF, custom lettering poster. View the entire poster here

 

8 WHAT'S THE MEANING OF "If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too"

The line "If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you" highlights the idea of having unwavering self-confidence and conviction in your own judgment and actions, even in the face of widespread doubt and skepticism. It encourages you to rely on your own instincts, beliefs, and values rather than being swayed by the opinions or doubts of others.

However, the next line, "But make allowance for their doubting too," adds an important nuance. It suggests that while you should trust yourself, it's also important to acknowledge and consider the doubts or concerns of others. It advises finding a balance between self-confidence and humility, recognising that different perspectives and opinions can be valuable sources of insight and growth.

 

Image: Close up of IF Rudyard Kipling poster 'Grow'. See the entire design and in more detail here

 

9 WHAT'S THE MEANING OF "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same"

This line speaks to the idea of maintaining composure and equanimity in the face of both success (Triumph) and failure (Disaster). It encourages the reader to not be influenced or defined by external circumstances, whether they be positive or negative.

The term "impostors" suggests that both Triumph and Disaster are not necessarily accurate representations of one's true worth or character. They are fleeting and transient experiences that can come and go in life. By treating them "just the same," the poet is suggesting that one should not become excessively elated by success or overly disheartened by failure.

In essence, the line conveys the importance of staying grounded, maintaining perspective, and not allowing external events to define one's self-worth or determine one's emotional state.

 

Image: IF RUDYARD KIPLING FRAMED POSTER 'TRIUMPH & DISASTER QUOTE 1'. See it in closer detail here

 

10 WHAT'S THE MEANING OF "If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools"

These lines are about the importance of integrity, resilience, and the ability to withstand the distortion or manipulation of your words or actions by those who are deceitful.

The phrase "bear to hear the truth you've spoken" suggests that you have the strength and courage to face the reality of your own words, even if it reveals uncomfortable truths or exposes vulnerabilities. It implies that you possess the maturity and emotional fortitude to accept criticism or the consequences of your own honesty.

The line "Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools" refers to the actions of dishonest or manipulative individuals who may take your words out of context, distort their meaning, or use them against you. It warns against falling into the traps set by such people, who may attempt to deceive others for their own gain.

In essence, these lines encourage you to remain steadfast in your integrity, to speak the truth even when it's difficult, and to be aware of the potential for others to twist or misrepresent your words for their own malicious purposes. It promotes the idea of staying true to your principles and not allowing yourself to be swayed by those who seek to exploit others.

 

Image: Framed IF RUDYARD KIPLING POSTER FOR GIRLS. So it reads like a fathers advice to his daughter. See it in detail here

 

11 WHAT'S THE MEANING OF "If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run"

This refers to making the most of every moment and maximising productivity and achievement within a given timeframe. The phrase "unforgiving minute" refers to the limited and unforgiving nature of time, highlighting how time waits for no one and is constantly moving forward.

The poet emphasises the importance of utilising each minute fully by suggesting that one should be able to accomplish as much as others would in sixty seconds. Implying a sense of efficiency, focus, and determination in order to make the most of the time available.

In a broader interpretation, this line encourages readers to make the most of their lives, to seize every opportunity, and to use time wisely. So one can continually strive towards personal growth and progress.

 

Image: Framed IF RUDYARD KIPLING POSTER FUTURA. See it in detail here

 

12 WHERE CAN I BUY A STUNNING - IF RUDYARD KIPLING POSTER (PAPER, CANVAS, FRAMED)

 

Image: Framed IF RUDYARD KIPLING POSTER 'GROW'

 

Buy something from the world's finest collection of typographic IF Rudyard Kipling posters and framed designs here