IF

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 but not be tired by waiting,
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 your dreams your master.

If you can think
and not make thoughts your aim.

If you can meet with triumph and disatsre
and treat those two imposters just the same.

If uou can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools
or watch the things you gave life to broken,
and build em up with worn-out tools.

If you can make one heap ofall your winnings
and risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss
and lose, and start again at your beginnings,
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 in you
except the will which say to them "Hold On".

If youcan 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 not too much.

If you can fill the unforgiving minute
with thirty seconds worth of distance run.
Yours is the Earth and everythingthat's in it

And -- which is more -- you'll be a Man, my son.

 

Rudyard Kipling

 

If you can talk