Can anyone interpret this poem?

Aim high, work hard, and take what comes.

Here’s the entire poem. That might help.

I interpret that bit as a suggestion to not go to extremes. Everything in moderation.

@aprilsimnel thanks, I had no idea.

@Plone3000 A clue that you didn’t have the whole poem was the semi-colon at the end and the fact that the poet was making “if’’ statements and not concluding what they implied. Hope it’s clearer to you now that you have the whole text.

@Plone3000 – You’re welcome.

It means you will have attained enlightenment.

Able to experience all, attach to nothing as your salvation.

To understand and accept the temporary and impermanent conditions of life without self destructing.

After reading the whole poem, what I understood was that these are the trials of life. And if you can stand strong you are accomplished at being a man.

@Pandora You got it!

@janbb. txs. :)

Strive for balance in all things, Grasshopper! : D

The section you provided means to me:

Dream, but don’t let all you do be dreaming.

Think but don’t let thinking be the end of it…take action.

Whether you meet with success or failure keep on keeping on because those “impostors” (success or failure) are not what counts and are not the end of things unless you stop there.

If you can dream and not make your dreams your Master. means that good looking man or woman you met will take over your dreams, if you do not control them.

Not make your thoughts your aim. means this person has really had it in for you. you want to rebel and you see red. a bigger person are you for not dwelling or aiming for retaliation.

If you meet with triumph and disaster. means you have convinced yourself to forgive this person, but in doing so, has caused you much grief.

And, treat those two imposters just the same. you are forgiving this person and you forgiving yourself for the wicked thoughts you had of both the person in your dream and the person you are forgiving. crazy.

It means:

DON’T DRINK THE COOL-AID!

you’re not nearly as thirsty as you think you are

I think that that excerpt you posted is getting at, “everything in moderation,” but also encourages you to not wallow in mediocrity. Anyone can be mediocre.

I think it means that you should be engaged in the world, but still be true to yourself. Strive for success, but do not measure yourself by what happens.

@aprilsimnel It is a wonderful poem in its totality, which makes the section we were given difficult to understand. Thanks for posting.

@Plone3000 “If…you’ll be a Man my son!” All the things that men (and by extension, women) need to know. That’s the meaning

As a side note: A publisher once said to Mr Kipling, ‘Mr Kipling. You do not seem to have a grasp on the English language’ (or words to that effect) while rejecting Mr Kipling’s manuscript!

If you can dream-and not make dreams your master;
Dream, have goals, but keep your feet on the ground. Be realistic too.

If you can think-and not make thoughts your aim;
Use your brain, but don’t get lost in it. Don’t get over philosophical.

If you meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
Don’t get caught up in your achievements or your failures, because both are fleeting and easily overshadowed

-Rudyard Kipling

Hope this helps.

Taoism. being in total control of your thought processes and maintaining utter balance.

@cbbg

Exactly! You are not far from true wisdom, Gransshopper! : D

That poem is all about the mastery of life. It is the way of the Kahuna.

Good Answers, to me this is also a very hopeful and optimistic text, that encurages you to keep going.
Thanks to @aprilsimnel I now know the true meaning.
My new favorate poem!