Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936), born in Bombay and educated in England, returned to India in 1882 to work for Anglo-Indian newspapers.
Beginning his literary career with “Departmental Ditties” in 1886, he became renowned for his short stories.
He celebrated the British Empire and its common soldiers, particularly in “Plain Tales from the Hills” and “Soldiers Three”.
His “Barrack Room Ballads” was written for the common soldier, while “The Jungle Book” became a global children’s favorite.
Among his numerous works are “Kim”, “The Second Jungle Book” and “Just So Stories”.
He also wrote propaganda during WWI. In 1933, his poems were collected and published.
Kipling received multiple accolades, including the Royal Society of Literature’s Gold Medal in 1926, a distinction shared with few before him.
I have included in this article, some of the best quotes by Rudyard Kipling.
Best Rudyard Kipling Quotes
“A man can never have too much red wine, too many books, or too much ammunition.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“Of all the liars in the world, sometimes the worst are our own fears.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“We are the opening verse of the opening page of the chapter of endless possibilities.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“I am by nature a dealer in words, and words are the most powerful drug known to humanity.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“We’re all islands shouting lies to each other across seas of misunderstanding.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“He travels the fastest who travels alone.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“If you can dream – and not make dreams your master.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“Fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“If you can meet success and failure and treat them both as impostors, then you are a balanced man, my son.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“If you want something and don’t get it, there are only two reasons. You either really didn’t want it, or you tried to bargain over the price.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“If you can wait and not be tired of 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 wise.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
Top Rudyard Kipling Quotes
“If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew to serve your turn long after they are gone, and so hold on when there is nothing in you except the will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.” ~ (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!” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“No printed word, nor spoken plea can teach young minds what they should be. Not all the books on all the shelves – but what the teachers are themselves.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“If you can keep your wits about you while all others are losing theirs, and blaming you. The world will be yours and everything in it, what’s more, you’ll be a man, my son.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
Famous Rudyard Kipling Quotes
“Let each man be judged by his deeds, I have paid my price to live with myself on the terms that I willed.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“A Time For Prayer “In times of war and not before, God and the soldier we adore. But in times of peace and all things righted, God is forgotten and the soldier slighted.” -Rudyard Kipling.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“My heart is so tired.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“Oh East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“Never look backwards or you’ll fall down the stairs.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“Keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“All things considered, there are only two kinds of men in the world: those that stay at home and those that do not.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“Delight in the little things.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“Beware of overconcern for money, or position, or glory. Someday you will meet a man who cares for none of these things. Then you will know how poor you are.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“Gardens are not made by singing ‘Oh, how beautiful,’ and sitting in the shade.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
Popular Rudyard Kipling Quotes
“Humble because of knowledge; mighty by sacrifice.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“In the jungle, life and food depend on keeping your temper.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“A woman’s guess is much more accurate than a man’s certainty.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“Payday came and with it beer.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run- Yours is the Earth and everything in it…” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“I keep six honest serving men.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“This is a brief life, but in its brevity it offers us some splendid moments, some meaningful adventures.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“What is the Law of the Jungle? Strike first and then give tongue.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“Both triumph and disaster are impostors.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“All the money in the world is no use to a man or his country if he spends it as fast as he makes it. All he has left is his bills and the reputation for being a fool.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
Inspiring Rudyard Kipling Quotes
“There’s no jealousy in the grave.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“Borrow trouble for yourself, if that’s your nature, but don’t lend it to your neighbors.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“We have forty million reasons for failure, but not a single excuse.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“I always prefer to believe the best of everybody, it saves so much trouble.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“I am the Cat who walks by himself, and all places are alike to me.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“Believe the best of everybody.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“He who can reach a child’s heart can reach the world’s heart.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“However the world pretends to divide itself, there are only two divisions in the world today – human beings and Germans.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
“When you’re wounded and left on Afghanistan’s plains, and the women come out to cut up what remains, jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains and go to your God like a soldier.” ~ (Rudyard Kipling).
