Reading, Summary, and Analysis of Kipling's "If-"

Welcome to a summary, reading, and analysis of the inspiring Victorian/Edwardian poem "If-." In "If-" Rudyard Kipling (who also authored such classics as The Jungle Book). One of the most well known poems of all time, "If-" teaches a number of life lessons, not the least of which is the power of a single minute. It's also a perfect poem to read now that track season is upon us.
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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!
-1910

[@dylanturner2730]

I am so happy that I found your channel sir. It is just what I was looking for someone who not only reads A poem but also explains the historical the cultural impact of the poem thank you for what you do

[@OxfordCommaEducation]

Thank you so much for the incredibly kind feedback! It helps the channel out so much when people watch a video the day it comes out. Thank you again!

[@joeysoper6593]

wheres the donation link?

[@OxfordCommaEducation]

Haha! Maybe one day.

[@kaykay1265]

Can you please tell me what book i can find this in? Maybe the original book? Thank you in advance.

[@joeysoper6593]

woah.. im here early

[@sofie3622]

Generally I think your interpretation is great. I only disagree with the unforgiving minute. I think he meant that the sixty seconds mean that, if you manage to fill your time with worthwhile activity, anything is possible. It's not about running. It's about how you spend your time. The unforgiving minute represents your life. Your time is limited and time does not stop. Sixty seconds worth of distance run, is implying that you use your given time to the fullest.

[@OxfordCommaEducation]

I totally agree that there is a metaphorical reading of those last few lines. I probably just read things too running centric sometimes. Thank you for your observation!

[@musafacayirgezer8151]

I think a bit of biographical analysis would be great as well. Well anyway love it as always 👍

[@OxfordCommaEducation]

Thank you so much! There is a really interesting story behind the poem's composition - I just already knew the video was going to be a little on the long side (check out Sir Jameson and Kipling's son, John for more information).