IF…..

If you can keep your head when all-
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!

by - Rudyard Kipling

Meaning of this poem :

This analysis of ‘If’ by Kipling is a decoded version of what the poet wants to convey through his didactic words. In the first stanza he shows his readers the ideal way to act during times of acute crisis. The poet asks his readers to make themselves strong enough such that they can take responsibility for their actions and choices bravely and not indulge in blame-games. A person should muster enough confidence to believe in himself and his potential when everyone else gives up on him; but at the same time the poet also advises his readers to make enough room in their heads for opposing ideas from others. The theme of poem ‘if’ teaches a person the importance of waiting and advices him to not let lies and hatred mire his character even if the ones around him seem to be infested with them. Kipling knew that instilling these virtues might make his readers self-righteous so he warns them against the same towards the end of the stanza.

When we move to the second stanza, ‘If’ poem analysis engulfs within its scope the correct way to pursue one’s goals in life. Kipling asks his readers to dream and think profusely but also advises them to prevent the same dreams and thoughts from controlling their every waking moment and upon fulfilment on those very dreams he asks his readers to master modesty such that they do not turn into self proclaimed Samaritans. He says to his readers that they must not let defeat affect them and advises them to treat every defeat which they might face as a chance which life them gave them to learn yet another lesson. In the end of the stanza the poet reminds his reader that the journey towards success is never an easy ride as on their way they will meet people who would want to bring them down by using his righteousness against him. Through his words of wisdom he prepares his readers for the times when they might have to surrender everything they have to fate and infuses in them the power of creation to start from scratch again.

Upon venturing into the third stanza, this summary of poem ‘If’ will shed light upon the poet’s message to his readers that risks must be taken in life and hopes must not be lost if things do not work out the desired way. The poet says that a man must be able to risk all his achievements while aiming towards bigger goals. Shall he lose; he must not cry over spilt milk and start all over again with reinforced heart, nerve and sinew controlled by his determination in such a way that they never leave his side even during the most trying of times.

Upon reaching the fourth stanza this explanation of the poem ‘if’ shall take a more sombre turn as this stanza houses the poet’s final instructions to his readers which are meant to be followed once they have reached that stage of success in their lives which they aimed at. Kipling wants his reader to become a man who can fit well with all sections of the society. His asks his reader to mingle with the common crowd but never lose his individuality. Money often makes a person stone-hearted. The poet warns his readers against this evil effect of money and tells them that they must never let go off their compassion or become too proud upon being accepted by the finer rung of the social ladder as one of them. Kipling wants to carry his readers to such a stage in life where no friends or foes can have the power to hurt him; where he can move with the crowd but stand out because of his virtues. Towards the end of the poem the poet imparts the knowledge that time if wasted will never forgive but if his readers can make the most of whatever time is left with them by paying heed to his advices then no force can stop them from conquering the world and being a man in the real sense of the term.

Thus we come to the proper understanding of the meaning of the poem ‘If’ whose central idea revolves in being a just human being after attaining the success and paths of glory (which is more - you'll be a Man my son!)