If—

“The Gods of the Copybook Headings” by Rudyard Kipling (1919)

“Gods of the Copybook Headings” is a list of rules of human conduct that are so well-defined by centuries of experience that they have become indisputable. To ignore them, writes Kipling, will inevitably lead to failure and destruction.

“Invictus” by William Ernest Henley (1888)

“Invictus” (Latin for “unconquered”) is deeply descriptive and motivational. Like “If—,” “Invic-tus” is famous for its themes of willpower and strength in the face of adversity.

“The Man in the Arena” by Theodore Roosevelt (1910)

A passage from a speech entitled “Citizenship in a Republic,” delivered by Theodore Roosevelt in 1910, is referred to as “The Man in the Arena” because it involves someone who finds themselves in a situation that requires courage, skill, and tenacity.

“Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann (1927)

“Desiderata” is a didactic poem that Ehrmann wrote for his daughter. It contains practical advice for everyday life and moral and religious philosophy. Like “If—,” the advice it contains has been taken to heart by many people who wish to live authentic lives.

“Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou (1978)

A proclamation against the society that tried to dominate the poet as a Black American, “Still I Rise” expresses Angelou’s ability to overcome anything through self-esteem, self-respect, and confidence. Other people’s perception of her skin color won’t hold her back.

In July 2018, the Students’ Union at Manchester University acquired, as part of a refurbishment, a wall panel displaying the text of Rudyard Kipling’s “If –.” Students attempted to erase Kipling’s words and replace them with Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise.”

Like “If—,” Angelou’s poem is a general statement about life, written by a poet who was an international celebrity.

“The Old Stoic” by Emily Brontë (1846)

“The Old Stoic” is a poem written by the Brontë sisters. It first appeared in their joint poetry collection. The sisters chose masculine pseudonyms based on their initials to pen their works: Currer (Charlotte), Ellis (Emily), and Acton Bell (Anne).

The poem expresses wealth, love, and fame as the attributes that men desire most. The old stoic has no attachment to any of these characteristics.

The old stoic prays to God as she approaches death. She asks God to allow her to free her soul and to face any kind of situation with courage and conviction.

Polonius’s “To thine own self be true” Speech by William Shakespeare (1599-1601)

(From Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 3: Polonius giving advice to his son Laertes)

Polonius gives Laertes a great deal of advice ranging from how to treat his friends to how to dress. He counsels his son to avoid wasting time on “entertainments,” judging others (even when they judge him), or lending or borrowing money (“Neither a borrower nor a lender be; / For loan oft loses both itself and friend […]). Shakespeare’s Polonius talks about various attributes that are essential for maintaining a balanced life.