Quotes

  It is not the critic who counts; 
   not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles,
   or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
   
  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,
   whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood;
   who strives valiantly;
   who errs,
   who comes short again and again,
   because there is no effort without error and shortcoming;
   
  but who does actually strive to do the deeds;
  who knows great enthusiasms,
  the great devotions;
  who spends himself in a worthy cause;
  who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,
  and who at the worst,
  if he fails,
  at least fails while daring greatly,
  
 so that his place shall never be
  with those cold and timid souls
  who neither know victory nor defeat.

The Man in the Arena, Theodore Roosevelt speech, 1910

  The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil,
   but by those who watch them without doing anything.

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!

Rudyard Kipling’s poem If is a celebrated work that explores the themes of triumph, disaster, and the human response to adversity. Written circa 1895, it is a tribute to Victorian-era stoicism.

The poem’s central message is conveyed through its iconic opening lines:

“If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same…”

Key Takeaways

• The poem urges the reader to approach both success and failure with equanimity, recognizing that they are mere “impostors” – fleeting and unreliable.
• It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a steady character, unaffected by external circumstances.
• The poem is often seen as a guide for personal growth, encouraging individuals to develop resilience and adaptability in the face of life’s challenges.

Inspirational Context

The poem’s lines are famously displayed on the wall of the players’ entrance at Wimbledon, serving as a reminder to athletes and non-athletes alike to stay focused and composed, regardless of the outcome.

In addition, the poem has been translated and adapted into various languages, including French, where it is known as “Tu seras un homme mon fils” (You will be a man, my son), highlighting its universal appeal and timeless wisdom.

Overall, IF Rudyard Kipling’s poem is a powerful exploration of human nature, urging readers to cultivate inner strength and perspective in the face of life’s uncertainties.

Recited by Sir Michael Caine in this video