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:
Explanation:
Kipling starts by giving advice on staying calm in difficult situations. He says that if you can remain level-headed while everyone around you is panicking and even blaming you, you are on the right path. He encourages self-belief, even when others doubt you, but also reminds us to understand why people might doubt. Patience is key—whether waiting for results or facing hardships. Moreover, one should remain honest despite being lied to, and not fall into the trap of hatred even when others hate you. However, he warns against arrogance—one should not act as if they are superior or wiser than others.
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:
Explanation:
Kipling advises a balanced approach to life. Dreaming is important, but one must not become so obsessed with dreams that they lose touch with reality. Thinking is valuable, but overthinking without action is useless. He then presents one of the most famous lines of the poem—treating success and failure equally. Triumph and disaster are both temporary and deceptive, so one should not get carried away by success or be broken by failure. Life is tough—sometimes, people may twist your words to manipulate others, or the things you worked hard for may be destroyed. In such moments, true strength is shown when you gather yourself and rebuild, even when you are exhausted.
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!’
Explanation:
This stanza talks about courage, resilience, and determination. Kipling suggests that one should have the guts to take risks, even if it means losing everything. But the real test of character is in how you react to failure—starting over without complaints or self-pity is the mark of a strong person. When exhaustion, fear, and pain take over, one should push forward with sheer willpower. The ability to persist when everything seems against you is a key quality of a successful and honorable person.
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!
Explanation:
Kipling’s final advice is about humility, emotional strength, and making the most of time. A person should be able to interact with ordinary people without losing integrity and, at the same time, deal with powerful individuals without becoming arrogant. Neither enemies nor close friends should have too much control over your emotions—don’t let their actions break you. The best way to live is to value everyone equally, without relying too much on any one person. The last two lines emphasize the importance of time—every single moment should be used wisely. If one can follow these principles, they will not only succeed but will truly become a mature, strong, and honorable human being.
Difficult Words & Meanings
Keep your head – Stay calm and composed.
Allowance – Consideration or understanding.
Give way to – Surrender or give in.
Impostors – Deceivers or things that mislead.
Stoop – Bend down, physically or metaphorically.
Heap – A large pile or collection.
Pitch-and-toss – A gambling game based on luck.
Sinew – Strong tissue connecting muscles (symbolizing strength).
Virtue – Moral goodness or integrity.
Common touch – Ability to relate to ordinary people.
Unforgiving minute – Time that passes quickly and cannot be regained.
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