We have done with Hope and Honour. we are lost to Love and Truth, We are dropping down the ladder rung by rung; And the measure of our torment is the measure of our youth. God help us, for we knew the worst too young!
Rudyard KiplingRead
Something I owe to the soil that grew-More to the life that fed-But most to Allah who gave me two Separate sides of my head. I would go without shirt or shoes, Friends, tobacco, or bread Sooner than for an instant lose Either side of my head.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes gratitude for life, nature, and the balance of thoughts and beliefs.
Rudyard Kipling's quote reflects a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of life, nature, and spirituality. It highlights the importance of recognizing the contributions of the soil, life itself, and a higher power (Allah) in shaping one's identity and thoughts. The poet expresses that he would sacrifice material comforts rather than lose the intellectual and spiritual balance represented by 'either side of my head'. This underscores the significance of maintaining one's mental and spiritual integrity above all else.
Themes
GratitudeBalanceNatureLifeSpiritualityIdentity
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on self-awareness, one might use this quote to illustrate the importance of gratitude.
More from Rudyard Kipling
All quotes →Humble because of knowledge; mighty by sacrifice.
Rudyard KiplingRead
Hear and attend and listen; for this is what befell and be-happened and became and was, O my Best Beloved, when the Tame animals were wild. The dog was wild, and the Horse was wild, and the Cow was wild, and the Sheep was wild, and the Pig was wild -as wild as wild could be - and they walked in the Wet Wild Woods by their wild lones. But the wildest of all the wild animals was the Cat. He walked by himself and all places were alike to him
Rudyard KiplingRead
I keep six honest serving men.
Rudyard KiplingRead
And when your back stops aching and your hands begin to harden, You will find yourself a partner in the Glory of the Garden.
Rudyard KiplingRead
Savings represent much more than mere money value. They are the proof that the saver is worth something in himself. Any fool can waste; any fool can muddle; but it takes something more of a man to save and the more he saves the more of a man he makes of himself. Waste and extravagance unsettle a man's mind for every crisis; thrift, which means some form of self-restraint, steadies it.
Rudyard KiplingRead
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