Welcome to Poem of the Day – If— by Rudyard Kipling.
If— is a famous poem written by Rudyard Kipling, first published in 1910. It is one of Kipling’s most well-known works, celebrated for its themes of personal integrity, self-discipline, and perseverance. The poem takes the form of a father’s advice to his son on how to navigate life with dignity and resilience. Through a series of conditional statements, Kipling outlines the qualities that define a true and successful individual. This article will explain the poem, its structure and form, and analyze its major elements.
If— Poem
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!
If— Poem Explanation
The poem If— is a didactic work, meaning it aims to teach moral lessons. It is structured as a series of conditional “if” statements, in which the speaker outlines qualities that an ideal person must possess in order to remain steadfast in the face of adversity. These qualities include patience, determination, courage, self-reliance, and humility.
The poem is addressed to Kipling’s son, John, and it offers practical wisdom on how to live a virtuous and successful life. It emphasizes the importance of balance—how to be calm in the face of failure, confident in the face of success, and able to “dream” and “think,” but also to be able to “think not make dreams your master.” The repeated use of the word “if” invites the reader to imagine how they might embody these traits in their own life.
The poem suggests that the individual who follows this path of personal integrity and fortitude will possess the true “Kingdom of God” within them, achieving greatness not in external rewards, but in character and inner strength.
Structure and Form
If— is written in four stanzas of eight lines each. The poem uses a regular rhyme scheme of ABABCDCD, which adds a musical and rhythmic quality to the poem. The consistent structure reinforces the idea of the step-by-step qualities that one must cultivate in life.
Each stanza is a conditional statement beginning with “If,” followed by a description of an ideal action or attitude. The use of the conditional tense—“If you can…”—makes the poem feel like a set of guidelines or instructions, encouraging the reader to live up to these standards.
The poem is written in iambic pentameter, a rhythmic pattern consisting of five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables per line. This meter gives the poem a formal, dignified tone, which suits its message of moral strength and perseverance.
Detailed Explanation of Major Elements
Themes of Resilience and Character
The central theme of If— is resilience—the ability to maintain composure, patience, and wisdom, regardless of the challenges or triumphs in life. Each stanza outlines specific qualities that contribute to this ideal of resilience.
In the first stanza, the speaker discusses the importance of being able to handle success and failure equally. He advises the reader to treat both triumph and disaster as “impostors,” meaning that neither should be allowed to define or distort one’s identity. This demonstrates the importance of inner stability and a balanced approach to life’s ups and downs.
The second stanza focuses on self-discipline, perseverance, and courage. Kipling suggests that, in the face of adversity, a person must keep their head while everyone else around them may lose theirs. The speaker also stresses the importance of following one’s own path without being swayed by others’ opinions, staying true to one’s convictions.
The third stanza speaks to the importance of dreaming, thinking, and acting. It emphasizes the need to have ambition and vision, but also the necessity of not letting dreams take over one’s life. Action must be balanced with thought, and an individual must be able to walk the fine line between the two.
The final stanza, with its reference to the “Earth and everything that’s in it,” represents the ultimate reward for living with integrity. If one can meet all the challenges laid out in the earlier stanzas, they will achieve the greatness of both physical and mental strength, and “the Earth and everything that’s in it” will be theirs.
The Use of Conditional Language
The repeated use of “if” throughout the poem allows Kipling to present a series of possible conditions that must be met in order to attain wisdom and inner strength. It is a technique that empowers the reader, implying that these qualities are achievable, provided they make the right choices.
However, the poem is not prescriptive; instead, it offers possibilities, painting a picture of what one’s life could be like if they chose to live according to the standards of excellence Kipling describes. The conditional nature of the poem conveys that the path to maturity and greatness is not guaranteed but requires effort and commitment.
Tone and Language
The tone of If— is solemn, encouraging, and motivational. Kipling’s language is both formal and direct, mirroring the seriousness of the advice he imparts. The use of direct address (“If you can…”) makes the poem feel like a personal message, as if Kipling himself is speaking to the reader, urging them to live with strength and honor.
The vocabulary Kipling uses—such as “dream,” “think,” “triumph,” “disaster,” “courage,” “patience”—focuses on virtues and concepts that elevate human character. There is a certain gravitas to the language, making the poem feel timeless and universal in its message.
The Ideal of the “Man”
Throughout the poem, Kipling describes an ideal individual who can withstand the pressures of life with grace, determination, and wisdom. This person is not swayed by the opinions of others or by the highs and lows of life. The ideal figure described in If— embodies qualities that transcend gender, but it is important to recognize that the poem is framed as advice to Kipling’s son. Thus, it may reflect the expectations placed on men during Kipling’s time to be emotionally stoic, self-reliant, and strong in both body and mind.
Conclusion
Rudyard Kipling’s If— is a powerful poem that presents a set of values for living a life of strength, dignity, and self-discipline. Through its structured rhyme scheme, rhythmic meter, and conditional language, the poem outlines the virtues of resilience, balance, and personal integrity. It serves as a timeless piece of advice, urging readers to meet the challenges of life with a calm and determined spirit. By emphasizing self-reliance, patience, and perseverance, Kipling’s poem remains a beacon of guidance for anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of life with honor.
