If by Rudyard Kipling

All the self-help books in the world are summed up in this simple but genius poem. Act on its advice and you will thrive.

This is one of my favourite pieces of poetry. I say that as if I am some kind of expert and widely read. To be honest, I have never really got poetry. Yes, we did it at school, but during these lessons I mostly tuned out. It never captured my imagination.

“If” is such a simple two-letter word, but somehow the genius of Rudyard Kipling turns this word into timeless leadership advice. I love its simplicity and clarity, and yet it has a depth when you look into each line. There is a saying that there is nothing new under the sun. And as I get older, I am beginning to appreciate that more and more.

You may associate Rudyard Kipling more with his book Jungle Book, which Disney so wonderfully brought to the world. What a film (and soundtrack). Showing my age, I know!

But what you may not have been aware of is that Rudyard Kipling was also a poet, and “If” is one of Rudyard Kipling’s most famous poems. It was first published in 1920 in his collection Rewards and Fairies.

It is a motivational and inspirational poem, written as a father’s advice to his son. It presents a blueprint for developing a strong and resilient character. It offers guidance on virtues such as patience, humility, confidence and resilience in the face of challenges.

The wisdom within this poem is as relevant today as it was when first written. You will find it often quoted. "If" is framed on my office wall and acts as a constant reminder of how I should act in life.

Key Themes and Messages:

Resilience and Fortitude: The poem emphasises the importance of staying composed during adversity and not being swayed by success or failure.

Found in the lines: “If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same.”

Self-Mastery: Kipling advises maintaining control over emotions and actions, highlighting self-discipline and balance.

Found in the lines: “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you.”

Integrity and Humility: The poem celebrates virtues like honesty, fairness, and the ability to remain grounded regardless of achievements or status.

Found in the lines: “If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings, nor lose the common touch.”

Perseverance and Hard Work: It encourages pushing forward in the face of exhaustion or setbacks and making the best of limited resources.

Found in the lines: “If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds’ worth of distance run.”

Living a Full Life: Ultimately, the poem outlines a path to personal fulfilment and character development, with the concluding promise that following this advice leads to becoming a mature and accomplished individual.

Found in the lines: “Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, and, which is more, you’ll be a Man, my son!”

This timeless advice can be summarised as…

Here is the full poem. Enjoy. I hope it inspires you as much as it continues to inspire me. In this crazy busy world we live in today, may it act as a reminder to be courageous, remain determined, and above all, always act with integrity.

If by Rudyard Kipling

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!

And should you ever get the chance to visit his home Batemans, in the East Sussex village of Burwash, UK (TN19 7DS), I would highly recommend it. Today, the house and gardens are managed by the National Trust. It’s a great day out and as a bonus, Burwash is a beautiful village that is also worth an explore.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/batemans