If- By Rudyard Kipling

This 18th century poem was written by Rudyard Kipling- the author of Just So Stories.

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 imposters just the same. If you can bear to hear the truth youv'e spoken, Twisted by Knaves to make a trap for fools. Or watch the things you gave life to, Broken. And stoop and build 'em up again with Wornout tools.

If you can make one heap with all your winnings. And risk it on one turn of Pitch-and-Toss. And lose, and start again at your begginings. And never breath 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 left in you, Except the Will which says to them "Hold on."

If you can talk with Crowds and keep your virtue; If you can walk with kings, nor lose the Common Touch. If neither foe, nor Loving friend can hurt you; If all men can count on You, but none too much. Then your's is the World and everything that's in it; And- which is more- you'll be a Man, my Son.