“If” by Rudyard Kipling was first published in 1910 as part of his collection of stories and poems called “Rewards and Fairies.” “If” is a popular and widely quoted poem that offers a series of hypothetical situations and advice on how to navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and virtue.

If | Summary and Analysis

The poem addresses the qualities and virtues that Kipling believed to be important for personal growth and character development. The poem continues with a series of conditional statements that outline various assets and abilities that the reader should strive for. It is often considered a source of inspiration and encouragement.

If | Analysis, Lines 1-8

 

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:

These lines imply that one should maintain composure and self-control amid turmoil and blame. They stress the value of believing in oneself despite others’ scepticism and allowing for it. The verses also exhort one to exercise patience without being weary, refrain from telling lies when told them, refrain from returning hatred with more hatred, and strike a balance between humility and intelligence.

The first line highlights the importance of maintaining poise and not succumbing to panic or pressure when everyone around is losing control. It suggests that staying calm and level-headed can help navigate difficult situations effectively. These lines also underscore the significance of self-confidence and belief in one’s abilities, even in the face of cynicism from others. However, it also suggests understanding and considering others’ doubts or reservations without being dismissive. Here, the poem encourages patience and resilience while waiting for desired outcomes.

These lines highlight the virtue of rising above hatred and not letting others’ animosity provoke a similar response. They also caution against excessive pride or arrogance, suggesting the importance of humility and avoiding the temptation to appear superior or overly knowledgeable.

If | Analysis, Lines 9-16

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:

These words from “If” highlight how crucial it is to have a balanced viewpoint in all facets of life. They exhort the reader to not be consumed or controlled by dreams or thoughts, to not be influenced by external outcomes such as success or failure, to face both victory and disaster with faith and seld-belief, to put up with the distortion of one’s words by dishonest people, and to persevere in mending what has been damaged, even with limited resources.

These lines advise against being excessively consumed by dreams or thoughts, implying that while aspirations and contemplation are valuable, they should not become the sole focus or ruler of one’s life. It suggests the importance of grounding oneself and taking action rather than being lost solely in the realm of imagination or ideas. Here, Kipling presents the idea that both success (Triumph) and failure (Disaster) are temporary and often misleading. The lines urge the reader to maintain a level-headed perspective, neither being overly elated by triumph nor devastated by disaster. They encourage equanimity and resilience in the face of fluctuating external circumstances.

These lines highlight the challenges of maintaining integrity when one’s words are twisted or manipulated by dishonest people. They suggest the importance of withstanding such distortions and not allowing them to become traps that compromise one’s principles or lead to foolish actions. This line expresses the resilience and determination required when witnessing the destruction or failure of endeavors one has dedicated their life to. It implies the willingness to persevere, even with limited or imperfect resources, and to rebuild what has been broken or lost.

If | Analysis, Lines 17-24

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!’

These words from Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If” address the subjects of taking chances, resiliency, and endurance. They examine the notions of taking a big risk with one’s riches, picking up where one left off after a setback, and pushing oneself to keep going even when worn out and empty.

These lines illustrate the concept of taking a substantial risk by wagering all of one’s gains on a single chance. It suggests the willingness to put everything on the line, demonstrating a bold and courageous approach to life. Here, Kipling emphasizes the pliability and ability to bounce back after a loss. It encourages the reader to begin anew without dwelling on past failures or seeking sympathy, displaying a stoic and determined attitude.

These lines convey the idea of pushing oneself to the limits, enduring hardships, and challenges even when physical and emotional resources are depleted. It speaks to the inner strength and determination required to persevere beyond one’s normal capacities. These lines highlight the power of sheer will and determination in times of extreme exhaustion or hopelessness. They emphasize the importance of staying resolute and holding on to one’s goals, even when there seems to be no energy or motivation left.

If | Analysis, Lines 25-32

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!

These lines from Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If” speak to the virtues of upholding honesty and modesty in many social settings. They stress the value of remaining true to one’s principles when interacting with large groups or powerful people, remaining unaffected by praise or criticism, appreciating everyone without becoming overly attached, making the most of each moment, and ultimately succeeding and becoming an exemplary person.

These lines highlight the importance of maintaining moral integrity and values when engaging with different groups of people. Whether conversing with crowds or associating with royalty, the poem suggests the value of remaining grounded, humble, and connected to ordinary people. Here, Kipling addresses emotional strength and balanced relationships. The lines imply that one should not be easily affected by both criticism from enemies or overly influenced by excessive admiration from close friends. It encourages valuing all individuals while maintaining a healthy sense of independence.

These lines emphasize the importance of making the most of every moment and maximizing productivity. It encourages seizing opportunities and making significant progress within the constraints of time, suggesting a proactive and efficient approach to life. This concluding statement conveys that by embodying the virtues and qualities mentioned in the poem, one can achieve success and possess the world and its riches. The poem also emphasizes that true success lies not only in material accomplishments but in becoming an honorable and admirable individual.

 

If | THEMES

The poem emphasizes the importance of enduring hardships, setbacks, and failures with resilience and maintaining the resolve to keep going. It encourages readers to persist in the face of adversity, never giving up on their goals and aspirations.

“If” highlights the significance of moral integrity, honesty, and ethical behavior. It encourages readers to stay true to their values and principles, even in difficult circumstances, and to act with integrity in the face of temptations or deceit.

The poem emphasizes the importance of maintaining humility and avoiding excessive pride or arrogance. It encourages readers to stay grounded and not to let success or praise distort their sense of self-worth. It also suggests finding a balance between wisdom and humility, avoiding the extremes of appearing too good or talking too wisely.

“If” encourages readers to trust in themselves and their abilities, even when faced with doubt or skepticism from others. It emphasizes the importance of self-confidence and self-belief in overcoming challenges and achieving personal growth.

The poem highlights the value of time and the importance of making the most of every moment. It urges readers to use their time wisely, to be productive, and to make significant progress in pursuit of their goals.

“If” explores the theme of emotional resilience, encouraging readers to withstand both criticism and praise without being unduly affected by them. It suggests the importance of maintaining emotional balance and independence in relationships.

If | POETIC DEVICES

The poem employs repetition to highlight important concepts and establish a rhythmic pattern. For instance, the word “If” is used repeatedly at the start of each verse to establish a formal and introspective tone.

Kipling uses rich imagery to conjure up images in the reader’s mind and arouse feelings. For instance, the power of the poem is increased by terms like “one heap of all your winnings” and “unforgiving minute” that evoke visual and visceral experiences.

The poem utilizes alliteration, which is the repetition of consonant sounds, to add musicality and emphasis. An example can be seen in the line, “Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,” where the repeated “h” sound creates a rhythmic effect.

Kipling personifies abstract concepts and forces, giving them human qualities. For example, “Triumph and Disaster” are personified as “two impostors,” suggesting that they are deceiving and transient.

The poem employs metaphorical language to convey complex ideas and comparisons. For instance, the line “And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss” uses the metaphor of a gambling game to symbolize taking significant risks.

The poem uses parallel structures and phrasing to create balance and symmetry. Each stanza begins with “If” and follows a conditional structure, reinforcing the poem’s reflective and contemplative tone.

Kipling uses enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or thought across multiple lines, to create a flowing and uninterrupted rhythm. This technique can be observed throughout the poem, allowing the ideas to seamlessly transition from one line to the next.

The poem employs anaphora, the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, to emphasize key concepts. The repeated use of “If” at the beginning of each stanza serves as an example of anaphora in the poem.