Art of Manliness: Manvotional #1: “If” by Rudyard Kipling
Chris
· 1 year ago
Brett,
Excellent post. This poem really says it all about what it means to be a man. Love the blog, keep up the great work!
Damian
· 1 year ago
That's one of the most inspiring poems out there. Both it and Desiderata make the perfect guide to become a better person, no matter age, sex, or nationality of the reader.
Kipling's "If" holds a special deep meaning to me, because it really describes a lot of the qualities that make my dad a great man.
Hope everyone else likes it as well.
Maikl
· 1 year ago
... Wow. Great post and great idea indeed.
Ryan
· 1 year ago
This is great idea. I love the site.
Nate
· 1 year ago
That is definitely getting printed out and hung up. Awesome poem. Man, I love this site!
phil
· 1 year ago
fantastic idea and a superb opening article for it. Kipling has eloquently summed up what it means to be a true man, a very difficult ideal which we should all strive for.
Another inspiring article, keep up the great work
@ damien I ckecked out 'desiderata' based on your comment. Another brilliant poem and guide to becoming a better person. It reminded me, along with 'if', of the really important things in life which are all too easy to lose sight of. Thanks
Matt Savage
· 1 year ago
"Rudyard Kipling was a 4:30 miler."
-Quentin Cassidy
Don
· 1 year ago
I was at a company event back in late 2006 and the guy who heads up my division had just taken up the post. He used this as part of his introductory "pitch". I hadn't heard it before, later asked him what it was, immediately got a copy and posted it on my pin board. My son's 9, a bit early to see the value in that but it'll be there for him.
I too, enjoy the blog, keep it up.
josh
· 1 year ago
great post and concept. i suggest people take a look at this article penned by henry rollins for details magazine a few years back
This poem was a major source of comfort and encouragement to me when I was in my 20's (20 years ago).
Reading it again today was like coming across a long lost friend.
Thanks for posting! Alec
bahgheera
· 1 year ago
Nice post, I'm printing this and hanging it on my board at work Monday morning.
And awesome article from Rollins there, Josh. Gotta admit, Henry is pretty freakin' manly there, eh? ;)
Granata
· 1 year ago
Wow. Both the poem and that Rollins piece linked to above were intense.
Matt
· 1 year ago
My favorite poem ever - in fact, it's the only one for me really.
Jesvin
· 1 year ago
A brilliant piece that inspired me was 'Abraham Lincoln's letter to his son's teacher' which everyone should read.
I am looking forward to more Manvotional posts.
Jeremy
· 1 year ago
My father has this poem engraved on a wooden plaque, I remember reading it so many times as a kid, and I remember how as I grew older I began to understand it more and more. If more boys were taught these lessons growing up the world would be a much better place.
Stephen Drummond
· 1 year ago
This has long been one of my favorite poems. As an Assistant Scoutmaster, I give framed copies to all of my new Eagle Scouts. It helps them to live up to their oaths of service.
laddiebuck
· 1 year ago
Don't skip the blog, practical skills are great. But if want a constant guide inside your very own head, memorise this poem. You may think that's hard (so man up already!) but if you are really interested in it and feel the impact of it, you will. I memorised it when I was 17 or 18 after just a few readings, and I've not forgotten a line since. You won't really understand much of it until you've actually applied the verses in a situation where they are called for, but at least you will be prepared; you will know what the right course to take is.
Bruce W. Nickerson
· 1 year ago
When I adopted my second son (at the age of 21) we had a celebration at Trinity Church in San Francisco, The rector permitted me to re-write the formal Episcopal adoption ceremony since it deals with infant adoption and there is no role for an adult child. As part of the service my son and I recited this poem, alternately speaking each phrase. Fifteen years later, it still inspires both of us.
Shaya Shamszadeh
· 11 months ago
Thank you for the post, I studied in a British Boarding School, "Christ's College” and we had to memorize and sing it every week at the chapel. It has become so much a part of me that all I do and all decisions I make somehow relates to it. Thank you
JH Park
· 10 months ago
A beautiful and matured poem! It reminds me of many things. Accidentally, I am reading Kipling's Kim accompanied with the introduction of Edward Said. With his introduction, this poem tells me what I did not know about him and his works. Thanks for a good poem!
Dirk
· 9 months ago
As a Vet, It was this one that helped me.
The 'eathen By Rudyard Kipling Born 1865 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 'eathen in 'is blindness bows down to wood an' stone; 'E don't obey no orders unless they is 'is own; 'E keeps 'is side-arms awful: 'e leaves 'em all about, An' then comes up the regiment an' pokes the 'eathen out.
All along o' dirtiness, all along o' mess, All along o' doin' things rather-more-or-less, All along of abby-nay, kul, an' hazar-ho, * Mind you keep your rifle an' yourself jus' so!
* abby-nay: Not now. kul: To-morrow. hazar-ho: Wait a bit.
The young recruit is 'aughty -- 'e draf's from Gawd knows where; They bid 'im show 'is stockin's an' lay 'is mattress square; 'E calls it bloomin' nonsense -- 'e doesn't know no more -- An' then up comes 'is Company an' kicks 'im round the floor!
The young recruit is 'ammered -- 'e takes it very 'ard; 'E 'angs 'is 'ead an' mutters -- 'e sulks about the yard; 'E talks o' "cruel tyrants" 'e'll swing for by-an'-by, An' the others 'ears an' mocks 'im, an' the boy goes orf to cry.
The young recruit is silly -- 'e thinks o' suicide; 'E's lost 'is gutter-devil; 'e 'asn't got 'is pride; But day by day they kicks 'im, which 'elps 'im on a bit, Till 'e finds 'isself one mornin' with a full an' proper kit.
Gettin' clear o' dirtiness, gettin' done with mess, Gettin' shut o' doin' things rather-more-or-less; Not so fond of abby-nay, kul, nor hazar-ho, Learns to keep 'is rifle an' 'isself jus' so!
The young recruit is 'appy -- 'e throws a chest to suit; You see 'im grow mustaches; you 'ear 'im slap 'is boot; 'E learns to drop the "bloodies" from every word 'e slings, An' 'e shows an 'ealthy brisket when 'e strips for bars an' rings.
The cruel-tyrant-sergeants they watch 'im 'arf a year; They watch 'im with 'is comrades, they watch 'im with 'is beer; They watch 'im with the women at the regimental dance, And the cruel-tyrant-sergeants send 'is name along for "Lance".
An' now 'e's 'arf o' nothin', an' all a private yet, 'Is room they up an' rags 'im to see what they will get; They rags 'im low an' cunnin', each dirty trick they can, But 'e learns to sweat 'is temper an' 'e learns to sweat 'is man.
An', last, a Colour-Sergeant, as such to be obeyed, 'E schools 'is men at cricket, 'e tells 'em on parade; They sees 'em quick an' 'andy, uncommon set an' smart, An' so 'e talks to orficers which 'ave the Core at 'eart.
'E learns to do 'is watchin' without it showin' plain; 'E learns to save a dummy, an' shove 'im straight again; 'E learns to check a ranker that's buyin' leave to shirk; An' 'e learns to make men like 'im so they'll learn to like their work.
An' when it comes to marchin' he'll see their socks are right, An' when it comes to action 'e shows 'em 'ow to sight; 'E knows their ways of thinkin' and just what's in their mind; 'E knows when they are takin' on an' when they've fell be'ind.
'E knows each talkin' corpril that leads a squad astray; 'E feels 'is innards 'eavin', 'is bowels givin' way; 'E sees the blue-white faces all tryin' 'ard to grin, An' 'e stands an' waits an' suffers till it's time to cap 'em in.
An' now the hugly bullets come peckin' through the dust, An' no one wants to face 'em, but every beggar must; So, like a man in irons which isn't glad to go, They moves 'em off by companies uncommon stiff an' slow.
Of all 'is five years' schoolin' they don't remember much Excep' the not retreatin', the step an' keepin' touch. It looks like teachin' wasted when they duck an' spread an' 'op, But if 'e 'adn't learned 'em they'd be all about the shop!
An' now it's "'Oo goes backward?" an' now it's "'Oo comes on?" And now it's "Get the doolies," an' now the captain's gone; An' now it's bloody murder, but all the while they 'ear 'Is voice, the same as barrick drill, a-shepherdin' the rear.
'E's just as sick as they are, 'is 'eart is like to split, But 'e works 'em, works 'em, works 'em till he feels 'em take the bit; The rest is 'oldin' steady till the watchful bugles play, An' 'e lifts 'em, lifts 'em, lifts 'em through the charge that wins the day!
The 'eathen in 'is blindness bows down to wood an' stone; 'E don't obey no orders unless they is 'is own; The 'eathen in 'is blindness must end where 'e began, But the backbone of the Army is the non-commissioned man!
Keep away from dirtiness -- keep away from mess. Don't get into doin' things rather-more-or-less! Let's ha' done with abby-nay, kul, an' hazar-ho; Mind you keep your rifle an' yourself jus' so!
All Comments
Excellent post. This poem really says it all about what it means to be a man. Love the blog, keep up the great work!
Kipling's "If" holds a special deep meaning to me, because it really describes a lot of the qualities that make my dad a great man.
Hope everyone else likes it as well.
Wow.
Great post and great idea indeed.
I love the site.
Another inspiring article, keep up the great work
@ damien
I ckecked out 'desiderata' based on your comment. Another brilliant poem and guide to becoming a better person. It reminded me, along with 'if', of the really important things in life which are all too easy to lose sight of. Thanks
-Quentin Cassidy
I too, enjoy the blog, keep it up.
http://www.gittlen.com/rollins.htm
Reading it again today was like coming across a long lost friend.
Thanks for posting!
Alec
And awesome article from Rollins there, Josh. Gotta admit, Henry is pretty freakin' manly there, eh? ;)
I am looking forward to more Manvotional posts.
I studied in a British Boarding School, "Christ's College” and we had to memorize and sing it every week at the chapel.
It has become so much a part of me that all I do and all decisions I make somehow relates to it.
Thank you
Accidentally, I am reading Kipling's Kim accompanied with the introduction of
Edward Said. With his introduction, this poem tells me what I did not know about
him and his works.
Thanks for a good poem!
The 'eathen
By Rudyard Kipling
Born 1865
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 'eathen in 'is blindness bows down to wood an' stone;
'E don't obey no orders unless they is 'is own;
'E keeps 'is side-arms awful: 'e leaves 'em all about,
An' then comes up the regiment an' pokes the 'eathen out.
All along o' dirtiness, all along o' mess,
All along o' doin' things rather-more-or-less,
All along of abby-nay, kul, an' hazar-ho, *
Mind you keep your rifle an' yourself jus' so!
* abby-nay: Not now. kul: To-morrow. hazar-ho: Wait a bit.
The young recruit is 'aughty -- 'e draf's from Gawd knows where;
They bid 'im show 'is stockin's an' lay 'is mattress square;
'E calls it bloomin' nonsense -- 'e doesn't know no more --
An' then up comes 'is Company an' kicks 'im round the floor!
The young recruit is 'ammered -- 'e takes it very 'ard;
'E 'angs 'is 'ead an' mutters -- 'e sulks about the yard;
'E talks o' "cruel tyrants" 'e'll swing for by-an'-by,
An' the others 'ears an' mocks 'im, an' the boy goes orf to cry.
The young recruit is silly -- 'e thinks o' suicide;
'E's lost 'is gutter-devil; 'e 'asn't got 'is pride;
But day by day they kicks 'im, which 'elps 'im on a bit,
Till 'e finds 'isself one mornin' with a full an' proper kit.
Gettin' clear o' dirtiness, gettin' done with mess,
Gettin' shut o' doin' things rather-more-or-less;
Not so fond of abby-nay, kul, nor hazar-ho,
Learns to keep 'is rifle an' 'isself jus' so!
The young recruit is 'appy -- 'e throws a chest to suit;
You see 'im grow mustaches; you 'ear 'im slap 'is boot;
'E learns to drop the "bloodies" from every word 'e slings,
An' 'e shows an 'ealthy brisket when 'e strips for bars an' rings.
The cruel-tyrant-sergeants they watch 'im 'arf a year;
They watch 'im with 'is comrades, they watch 'im with 'is beer;
They watch 'im with the women at the regimental dance,
And the cruel-tyrant-sergeants send 'is name along for "Lance".
An' now 'e's 'arf o' nothin', an' all a private yet,
'Is room they up an' rags 'im to see what they will get;
They rags 'im low an' cunnin', each dirty trick they can,
But 'e learns to sweat 'is temper an' 'e learns to sweat 'is man.
An', last, a Colour-Sergeant, as such to be obeyed,
'E schools 'is men at cricket, 'e tells 'em on parade;
They sees 'em quick an' 'andy, uncommon set an' smart,
An' so 'e talks to orficers which 'ave the Core at 'eart.
'E learns to do 'is watchin' without it showin' plain;
'E learns to save a dummy, an' shove 'im straight again;
'E learns to check a ranker that's buyin' leave to shirk;
An' 'e learns to make men like 'im so they'll learn to like their work.
An' when it comes to marchin' he'll see their socks are right,
An' when it comes to action 'e shows 'em 'ow to sight;
'E knows their ways of thinkin' and just what's in their mind;
'E knows when they are takin' on an' when they've fell be'ind.
'E knows each talkin' corpril that leads a squad astray;
'E feels 'is innards 'eavin', 'is bowels givin' way;
'E sees the blue-white faces all tryin' 'ard to grin,
An' 'e stands an' waits an' suffers till it's time to cap 'em in.
An' now the hugly bullets come peckin' through the dust,
An' no one wants to face 'em, but every beggar must;
So, like a man in irons which isn't glad to go,
They moves 'em off by companies uncommon stiff an' slow.
Of all 'is five years' schoolin' they don't remember much
Excep' the not retreatin', the step an' keepin' touch.
It looks like teachin' wasted when they duck an' spread an' 'op,
But if 'e 'adn't learned 'em they'd be all about the shop!
An' now it's "'Oo goes backward?" an' now it's "'Oo comes on?"
And now it's "Get the doolies," an' now the captain's gone;
An' now it's bloody murder, but all the while they 'ear
'Is voice, the same as barrick drill, a-shepherdin' the rear.
'E's just as sick as they are, 'is 'eart is like to split,
But 'e works 'em, works 'em, works 'em till he feels 'em take the bit;
The rest is 'oldin' steady till the watchful bugles play,
An' 'e lifts 'em, lifts 'em, lifts 'em through the charge that wins the day!
The 'eathen in 'is blindness bows down to wood an' stone;
'E don't obey no orders unless they is 'is own;
The 'eathen in 'is blindness must end where 'e began,
But the backbone of the Army is the non-commissioned man!
Keep away from dirtiness -- keep away from mess.
Don't get into doin' things rather-more-or-less!
Let's ha' done with abby-nay, kul, an' hazar-ho;
Mind you keep your rifle an' yourself jus' so!