Description
Kipling’s immortal poem “IF” has been a source of inspiration, guidance, encouragement and strength for generations. “IF” is perhaps Kipling’s most famous poem. He composed the poem in 1909 while living in Great Britain. It was first published in 1910 in Kipling’s collection of children’s stories, Rewards and Fairies. “IF” attracted immediate nationwide attention in Britain, and it was quickly adopted as a popular anthem. “Twenty-seven of the Nations of the Earth translated them into their seven-and-twenty tongues, and printed them on every sort of fabric.” How do you know when you become a man? Is it when you win your first fight? When do you get married? Have kids? “IF”, is an amazingly insightful poem on the attributes of what makes a man man. Becoming a man isn’t just one event, but rather a series of attributes developed over a lifetime. If only more men desired to obtain these characteristics, the world would be a much better place. The insight offered by the poet can be summarized in brief as: Remain humble, avoid extremes, and enjoy the joys of life at every opportunity. Rise above the fray and find goodness in even the darkest circumstance! The poet wants to inspire and enlighten; he wants the reader to see the possibilities and asks the reader to ponder the best of the best within that soul. J. Maurus does not offer a commentary of the poem; he rather meditates over it and shares with his readers the thoughts that are triggered by it. It takes him at times beyond the messages in the poem to discuss several related topics.
