Why people recommend it
The Light That Failed by Rudyard Kipling is a classic novel exploring themes of art, ambition, and adversity, though discussions surrounding the author on podcasts frequently touch upon his celebrated poetry. On the Lex Fridman Podcast, host Lex Fridman referenced the iconic poem 'If' by Rudyard Kipling on multiple occasions to underscore personal values and life philosophies. During episode #270 in March 2022 with guest David Wolpe, Lex quoted lines from the poem about keeping one's virtue among crowds and maintaining humility regardless of social standing, noting that this ideal was deeply important to him and guided how he tried to live his life. Later, during episode #267 in February 2022 featuring Mark Zuckerberg, Lex returned to the poem, reading its concluding verses to close the discussion. By weaving these verses into the dialogue, the host highlighted the timeless nature of Rudyard Kipling's poetic wisdom regarding character, resilience, and human connection. These recurring literary references served to anchor complex conversations about modern technology, leadership, and spirituality in enduring moral truths articulated through classic verse.
Every mention
Other mentions (3: passing, ad reads, own books)
“As I often do, please allow me to read a few lines from the poem 'If' by Rudyard Kipling: '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”
“Like the poem 'If' by Rudyard Kipling says, '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,' this is a really, really important thing to me that I try to live”
“Now, let me leave you with the end of the poem 'If' by Rudyard Kipling: If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings and 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”