If by Rudyard Kipling - Inspirational Poetry

If by Rudyard Kipling narrated by Tom O' Bedlam.

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!

Music - The Way by Zack Hemsey

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[bluzshadez]

I've read "You'll be a Man, my Son, " on Reader's Digest over 2 decades ago that Rudyard Kipling wrote this poem for his son, John. Who was enlisted and died during a war. Years later, Mr. Kipling received a parcel from France of his book "Kim" which was ridden by a bullet hole. When he read the letter it came with, it explained that his book saved the life of the person who sent him the package. As a sign of gratitude, that French soldier named his newborn son, Jean, in honor of Mr. Kipling's deceased son and he also made Mr. Kipling the Godfather of Jean. Every single time that I would come across this poem, I am reminded of the purpose it existed, that Rudyard Kipling wrote it to encourage his son.

[reshmarai]

Just one line to resurrect me,
"If you can dream and not make dreams your master".

[daviduhlmeyer]

When I was in the sixth grade, the teacher gave us the first four points to memorize and recite in front of the class. My father caught me practicing the homeworks. Dad insisted that I memorize the whole thing. When it was my turn, the teacher was appalled when I continued on with the rest of the poem, while the class asked where the rest of it had come from.

[ShaunAbraham-oz]

Never have these words been more important.

[scottthefunk]

Greatest poem ever written in my humble opinion. It has served me so well.

[vickinaylor]

My beloved husband passed peacefully in his sleep last week, he was only 51. I remember him often listening to this poem and it’s so poignant it will be read at his funeral in tribute to him and for his sons who he loved dearly 💔RIP my darling til we meet again x

[jorgeespinosa]

Remembering my pop, who gave me this poem when my personal and professional life went to hell. You're long gone, Dad. But I did it! I made it!

[alabhaois]

"If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster,
And treat those two impostors just the same..."

[shivanshpandey]

"If you can keep your head, when all around you, are losing their's and blaming it on you"


Wow.

[robbySUEDE]

My daughters and I listen to this poem at least once a month while eating breakfast, then we talk about how it applies to us currently. It is an amazing way to start the day.

[ramimahmoud]

A poem that MUST be read to everyone, especially children

[MDR-zfth]

Some years ago my grandad asked that when he died if I would read this at his funeral. Was a favorite poem of his from Rudyard Kipling written to his son John. Rudyard probably never imagined when he wrote this for his son in 1910 that his son would be dead 5 years later in the trenches on the western front. I never imagined I would be reciting a poem for my grandad, whose name was also John, when he passed last year. But it was a privilege nonetheless.

[saanvisaxena]

This poem really touched my heart 4 years ago and I was just 12 back then, now that i'm 16 this poem means so much more to me, it's a masterpiece ❤

[SalvadorDaliLama]

Every single line carries the weight of a lifetime.

[philippaettrick]

This is the kind of person we need in leadership. "In being lied about, not deal in lies."

[vimmivimmi]

Every line of this great poem is a 'Master stroke', it captures the essence of life with very few words.

[ramupenumarthi]

The poem was a part of our wall hangings, a must in every cadet's cabin in the National Defence Academy.

[MrRocksW]

"If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same" I just love that line. It resonates with my life experience.

[Kimmy-pwtm]

Until I stumbled upon this magnificent, distinguishable and poignant poem, I didn't really understand the priceless value a poet is.
To take in every word that forms into a sentence of pure clarity, stirs my mind of memories past and dreams and hopes that never happened.

[leslieshafer]

People have criticised this man for being a product of his time & dismissed his works because of it. And in doing so they are missing out on some fine words & some deep insights.