Question

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 of waiting, Or being lied about, don’t deal in ****, Or being hated, don’t give way to hating, And yet don’t look too good, not talk too wise;

Answer 1

Reference : These lines have been taken from the poem If composed by Rudyard Kipling.

[ **N.B. :** The above reference and context will be used for all the explanations of this poem.]

Context: In these lines the poet addresses his son and tells him many qualities which are necessary to be a good man. A balanced mind, patience, courage, self-respect, etc. are some of the qualities which make him a real man. Such a man gets name and fame in the world.

Explanation : In this opening stanza the poet says that a good man should have balance of mind even when other people criticize him or blame him. He should not be excited. If other people doubt in him and have no in him, he should have courage and in himself. If other people tell about him, he should not tell . He should not hate anybody even if others hate him. He should not show himself superior to or wiser than others. Such a man will be loved and respected by others.