Is it possible to achieve all the mentioned virtues in the poem "If" by Kipling and what according to you is a right criteria to become a perfect man? | eNotes
Is it possible to achieve all the mentioned virtues in the poem "If" by Kipling and what according to you is a right criteria to become a perfect man?
lsumner | High School Teacher | (Level 2) Senior Educator
Posted on
September 10, 2011 at 10:48 PM
I would agree would Kipling in that a sign of maturity comes with trials and tests. I would agree that it takes a mature person to keep your head when those all around "you are losing theirs and blaming it on you." Maturity allows you to "trust yourself when all men doubt you."
Truly, patience is a sign of maturity. It takes a mature person to wait patiently. It takes a mature person to avoid hating when others hate you. Maturity comes with testing.
Dreaming and working hard to make your dream come true is a sign of maturity. Treating triumph and disaster as the same imposters is a sign of wisdom:
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 imposters just the same;
If you can do the right thing in the face of trouble, you will show yourself mature. Winning isn't everything and losing it all only to begin again takes great effort and maturity:
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 your beginnings 
And never breath a word about your loss;
Kipling knew something about what it takes to become a mature person. He knew that trials and tribulations were necessary in order to become a mature man or woman.
Humility is a virtue that proves maturity. Relating to the common man while walking with kings is a mature action. Also, guarding your heart so no one can hurt you is a sign of maturity.
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;
Through Kipling's instructions, you can prove yourself a man or a woman. If you can keep your head and show yourself patient, you can prove yourself a man or woman. If you can follow instructions and prove you have self control, you can inherit the earth:
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
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