Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling was an English journalist, novelist, poet, and short-story writer, whose early life in British India profoundly influenced his literary output. His most notable works include the beloved children's classics 'The Jungle Book' and 'The Second Jungle Book,' as well as the adventurous novel 'Kim' and the whimsical 'Just So Stories.' Kipling's poetry, featuring famous pieces such as 'Mandalay,' 'Gunga Din,' and 'If—,' showcases his mastery of rhythm and narrative, earning him acclaim for his innovative approach to the short story form. His ability to weave complex themes of imperialism and human experience into accessible narratives made him one of the most popular writers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Kipling's literary significance was recognized when he became the first English-language author to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907, at the age of 41, marking him as the youngest recipient of the award at that time. His works often sparked controversy, particularly regarding their portrayal of colonialism, yet they have continued to be studied for their rich storytelling and vivid characterizations. Kipling's legacy endures through his contributions to children's literature and the short story genre, solidifying his place as a pivotal figure in English literature, with his ashes interred at Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey following his death in 1936.
Famous Quotes
View all 19 quotes“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.””
“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 wiseIf 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 DisasterAnd treat those two impostors just the same;If you can bear to hear the truth you've spokenTwisted 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 worn-out toolsIf you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,And lose, and start again at your beginningsAnd never breathe a word about your loss;If you can force your heart and nerve and sinewTo serve your turn long after they are gone,And so hold on when there is nothing in youExcept 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 minuteWith 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!””
“He wrapped himself in quotations - as a beggar would enfold himself in the purple of Emperors.””
Books from the author
