🔰 If - Rudyard Kipling
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 allowances 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,
don't look 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 hear the truth you've spoken twisted by knaves
to make a trap for fools
or watch the things you gave your life for broken
and stoop and build them 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 the beginning
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 done
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 40 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.