In Pirkei Avos, the Ethics of our Fathers, chapter 4, mishna 1, Ben Zoma says, who is the wise man? He answers, the one who learns from everyone.
This Poem IF by Rudyard Kipling is a famous one. It was shared with me on a few occaitions by the late classical homeopath Dr Peter Lawrence. Dr Lawrence advised reading and re-reading this poem to gain an understanding of the making of a man in this world (or appropriate behaviour). It is just as relevant to women as it is to men. In truth, if you can master this, you will be a long way towards applying many teachings of Pirkei Avos.
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, yet make allowance for their doubting too.
If you can wait and not get 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.
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 knave to make a trap for fools
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken and stoop and build 'em up with worn out tools.
If you can make a 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 breathe 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 says to them "Hold on"
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, if all men count with you but none too much
If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run.
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it and, which is more,
You'll be a Man my son.
This Poem IF by Rudyard Kipling is a famous one. It was shared with me on a few occaitions by the late classical homeopath Dr Peter Lawrence. Dr Lawrence advised reading and re-reading this poem to gain an understanding of the making of a man in this world (or appropriate behaviour). It is just as relevant to women as it is to men. In truth, if you can master this, you will be a long way towards applying many teachings of Pirkei Avos.
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, yet make allowance for their doubting too.
If you can wait and not get 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.
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 knave to make a trap for fools
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken and stoop and build 'em up with worn out tools.
If you can make a 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 breathe 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 says to them "Hold on"
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, if all men count with you but none too much
If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run.
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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