If

Stanza:

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 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, nor talk too wise;

Comments:

A very important quality, patience, is promoted by the second part of this stanza.

Stanza:

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 bear to hear the truth you've spoken
 Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
 Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
 And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

Comments:

Moderation is promoted as an important quality in the beginning of this part of the poem.

Stanza:

Comments: