Values in Life by Rudyard Kipling
🧩
Introduction
“Values in Life” is a moral
and reflective essay (often adapted from Kipling’s speeches and writings) that
highlights the importance of ethical living, discipline, and inner strength.
Kipling, a famous British poet and storyteller, emphasizes the core values
that shape a person’s character — such as truth, hard work, humility,
courage, and faith.
The essay reminds readers that success
is meaningless without values and that the true worth of life lies
in how we live, not just what we achieve.
📝 Summary
Rudyard Kipling in “Values in
Life” speaks about the fundamental moral principles that guide human
life. He points out that education and intelligence alone do not make a
person great; instead, greatness comes from good conduct, honesty, and
service to humanity.
He stresses the need for self-control,
respect for others, and faith in one’s duties.
Kipling urges the youth to lead a life of purpose and discipline,
avoiding greed, selfishness, and pride.
He also insists that values like
love, sympathy, forgiveness, and patience are not signs of weakness but the
true signs of strength. A man may be destroyed physically, but his values
and spirit live forever.
In short, Kipling’s essay teaches
that true happiness comes from living by one’s values, not from wealth,
fame, or position.
💡 Themes
- Moral Integrity:
Staying true to moral principles even when life tests us. - Self-Discipline:
Controlling one’s desires and emotions for higher goals. - Humility and Service:
Serving others and being humble are marks of greatness. - Faith and Perseverance:
Believing in oneself and never giving up in hardship. - True Success:
Success is measured by character, not money or fame.
💬 Important Values Mentioned
|
Value |
Explanation |
|
Truthfulness |
Always speak and act honestly. |
|
Courage |
Face challenges without fear. |
|
Discipline |
Follow rules and control emotions. |
|
Humility |
Stay modest even after success. |
|
Kindness |
Help others and show empathy. |
|
Perseverance |
Keep working even in failure. |
|
Faith |
Believe in moral goodness and
divine justice. |
🧠
Characteristic Style of Kipling
- Simple and direct language
- Didactic (teaching) tone
- Use of practical examples
- Inspirational and moral in nature
- Blend of Eastern and Western moral ideals
🌿 Message of the Essay
Kipling’s core message is:
“Material success fades, but moral
values make life meaningful and everlasting.”
He urges everyone, especially the
youth, to build character through honesty, courage, and compassion.
These values are what make a person respected, happy, and truly human.
📘 Vocabulary (Difficult Words & Meanings)
|
Word |
Meaning |
|
Virtue |
Moral excellence or goodness |
|
Integrity |
The quality of being honest and having
strong moral principles |
|
Humility |
The quality of being humble |
|
Perseverance |
Steady effort despite difficulties |
|
Ethics |
Moral rules that govern behavior |
|
Conscience |
Inner sense of right and wrong |
|
Self-control |
Ability to manage one’s emotions
and behavior |
|
Sympathy |
Sharing another’s sorrow or
feelings |
|
Fortitude |
Strength to face adversity |
|
Righteousness |
Acting in a morally right way |
🧍♂️ Characters (Real, Symbolic, and Referenced)
|
Character / Figure |
Description / Role in the Essay |
|
Rudyard Kipling (Narrator) |
The author and speaker of the essay. He expresses his
reflections on the importance of moral values and life lessons. |
|
The Ideal Man / The Honest Man |
A symbolic figure representing the person who lives
according to truth, courage, and humility. He embodies all the virtues
Kipling praises. |
|
The Youth / Young Generation |
Kipling addresses the young people of his time, advising
them to live with discipline, integrity, and self-respect. |
|
The Greedy or Corrupt Man |
Symbolic character representing people who chase wealth
and fame without moral values. Used as a contrast to the “man of virtue.” |
|
The Worker / Common Man |
Represents hard work, dedication, and honesty. Kipling
often respects the working-class man who earns his living truthfully. |
|
The Coward |
Symbolizes those who fear truth and choose comfort or
dishonesty over moral courage. Kipling criticizes such weakness. |
|
The Man of Faith |
Represents belief in goodness, God, and moral order — a
recurring ideal in Kipling’s writing. |
|
Teachers and Parents (implied) |
Kipling indirectly refers to them as guides and moral
shapers of youth. They symbolize society’s moral backbone. |
🌍 Places (Real or Conceptual Settings)
|
Place / Setting |
Description / Significance |
|
England / British Society |
Though not named directly, the essay reflects the moral
atmosphere of England during Kipling’s time. He speaks from within that
cultural context. |
|
India (Implied Background) |
As Kipling spent much of his life in India, many of his
moral values and examples are influenced by Indian ethics, discipline, and
spirituality. |
|
The World / Society |
Represents the broad human world in which moral and
immoral actions coexist — the field of human life where values are tested. |
|
School / Educational Institutions
(implied) |
Symbolizes the place where young people learn not only
academic lessons but also moral discipline. |
|
Home / Family |
A moral foundation where values like respect, honesty, and
compassion are first taught. |
|
The Path of Life (Metaphorical) |
A symbolic “journey” or “road” representing human life
itself — full of trials where moral values are tested. |
|
Workplace / Duty Field |
Represents the real world of responsibility where one’s
honesty, discipline, and dedication are proven. |
Questions
🌼 SECTION A – SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (2–3 Marks Each)
Q1. What is the central theme of
“Values in Life”?
Answer: The central theme of “Values in Life” is that moral
values—such as truth, discipline, courage, and humility—are more important than
wealth, fame, or success. Kipling emphasizes that a life guided by values leads
to true happiness and peace.
Q2. According to Kipling, what makes
a person truly successful?
Answer: A person becomes truly successful not by earning wealth or
position but by living with honesty, discipline, and kindness. True success
lies in moral strength and a clear conscience.
Q3. Mention any three values Kipling
considers essential for a meaningful life.
Answer: The three essential values are truthfulness, self-discipline,
and humility.
Q4. What is the difference between
education and values according to Kipling?
Answer: Education provides knowledge and skill, but values teach how to
use them rightly. Without moral values, education becomes empty and dangerous.
Q5. How does Kipling describe the
importance of truthfulness?
Answer: Kipling considers truthfulness the highest virtue. He believes
that truth builds trust, character, and inner peace, while lies destroy
relationships and self-respect.
Q6. What role does self-discipline
play in shaping one’s character?
Answer: Self-discipline helps a person control desires, emotions, and
actions. It enables consistency, hard work, and moral strength, which are
essential for success.
Q7. What warning does Kipling give
about greed and pride?
Answer: Kipling warns that greed and pride lead to downfall. They blind
people to moral truth and make them selfish and corrupt.
Q8. What does Kipling say about
material wealth?
Answer: He says that material wealth is temporary and cannot give
lasting happiness. Values are permanent and give life real meaning.
Q9. How can moral values bring
happiness in life?
Answer: Moral values create peace of mind, build respect, and help
people live harmoniously with others—bringing lasting happiness.
Q10. What advice does Kipling give
to the youth?
Answer: Kipling advises the youth to live with discipline, honesty,
courage, and service to others. He encourages them to follow values, not
wealth.
Q11. Why does Kipling consider
humility a great virtue?
Answer: Because humility keeps a person grounded and open to learning.
It prevents arrogance and builds respect and love from others.
Q12. How does kindness make a person
strong?
Answer: Kindness requires courage and selflessness. It builds emotional
strength and brings people together.
Q13. What is meant by “true
greatness” in the essay?
Answer: True greatness means living with integrity, humility, and
compassion—not in power or riches, but in moral character.
Q14. What does Kipling mean by faith
and perseverance?
Answer: Faith means believing in moral goodness and divine justice.
Perseverance means continuing good work even during difficulties.
Q15. How are patience and
forgiveness signs of inner strength?
Answer: They show control over anger and ego. Only strong people can
forgive others and stay patient in adversity.
🧩
SECTION B – LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (5–8 Marks Each)
Q1. Discuss the main values
highlighted by Rudyard Kipling in “Values in Life.”
Answer:
Kipling highlights truth, courage, humility, discipline, kindness, and
perseverance as key values. He believes that education and talent are
meaningful only when guided by moral principles. A person’s worth is not
measured by wealth but by good conduct and honesty. He urges everyone to live
for others, face difficulties bravely, and remain humble in success. These
values make life meaningful and society peaceful.
Q2. What message does Kipling convey
to the younger generation through “Values in Life”?
Answer:
Kipling advises the youth to focus on building character. He encourages them to
practice honesty, self-discipline, and compassion. He warns against greed,
pride, and selfishness. For Kipling, youth is the foundation of the future, and
if young people follow moral values, society will progress in a true sense.
Q3. Explain how “Values in Life” is
a guide to moral living.
Answer:
The essay acts as a moral guide by teaching readers to balance ambition with
ethics. It shows that life’s worth depends on truth, faith, and self-respect.
Kipling’s lessons help readers lead disciplined, purposeful, and kind lives. It
is a timeless guide to living with dignity.
Q4. Evaluate the relevance of
Kipling’s values in the modern world.
Answer:
Kipling’s values remain relevant even today. In a world of corruption, greed,
and competition, his message of honesty, discipline, and humility offers peace
and stability. His principles are needed for building trust, unity, and true
progress in society.
Q5. Compare material success and
moral success as described by Kipling.
Answer:
Material success gives comfort but is short-lived. Moral success gives inner
satisfaction and eternal respect. Kipling values moral success because it
builds one’s soul and character, which are more lasting than money or fame.
Q6. How does Kipling link discipline
with success?
Answer:
Kipling believes discipline is the foundation of all success. Without
discipline, talent is wasted. It helps people stay focused, control emotions,
and complete their duties faithfully, leading to personal and professional
growth.
Q7. Write a critical appreciation of
Kipling’s “Values in Life.”
Answer:
“Values in Life” is a moral and philosophical essay that reflects Kipling’s
belief in ethical living. It is written in a simple, instructive style with
universal appeal. The essay combines Eastern spiritual ideals with Western
practicality. Kipling’s tone is inspirational, aiming to awaken moral awareness
among readers.
Q8. How does Kipling’s view of
values reflect both Eastern and Western ideals?
Answer:
Kipling’s respect for discipline and duty reflects Western ethics, while his
stress on humility, faith, and spiritual balance reflects Eastern thought. This
blend makes his moral philosophy universal and timeless.
🧠
SECTION C – VERY LONG ANSWER / ESSAY-TYPE QUESTIONS (10 Marks Each)
Q1. “A man may be destroyed but not
defeated.” Discuss this idea in the light of Kipling’s essay “Values in Life.”
Answer:
This line expresses the power of moral courage. A person may lose wealth,
status, or even life, but his spirit and values can never be defeated.
Kipling’s “Values in Life” teaches that inner strength comes from honesty,
patience, and integrity. Even in failure or pain, a virtuous person remains
undefeated because his conscience is clear. This moral endurance is the true
victory of life.
Q2. Explain the importance of moral
education in life according to Kipling.
Answer:
Kipling believes education must include moral training. Knowledge without
values is dangerous because it can be misused. Moral education teaches respect,
honesty, and responsibility. It shapes good citizens and helps society progress
ethically. Hence, moral education is the true purpose of learning.
Q3. Analyze Kipling’s philosophy of
life as revealed in “Values in Life.”
Answer:
Kipling’s philosophy of life centers on truth, discipline, and service. He
believes that life is meaningful only when lived for others. He emphasizes
self-control, humility, and perseverance. His moral vision combines action with
faith and shows that human greatness lies in goodness, not power.
🎯 SECTION D – MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (1 Mark Each)
|
Question |
Answer |
|
1. “Values in Life” emphasizes |
b) Moral virtues |
|
2. According to Kipling, true
greatness lies in |
c) Character |
|
3. Success without values is |
a) Incomplete |
|
4. The value that teaches
forgiveness is |
b) Humility |
|
5. The tone of the essay is |
b) Moral and instructive |
💬 SECTION E – VALUE-BASED QUESTIONS
Q1. How can students apply Kipling’s
“Values in Life” in their daily routine?
Answer: Students can practice honesty in studies, respect teachers, help
others, and stay disciplined. By following these values, they can become
responsible citizens and balanced individuals.
Q2. If you face a moral dilemma, how
would Kipling’s ideas help you decide?
Answer: Kipling’s values would guide me to choose truth and fairness
over selfish gain. He teaches that the right path may be difficult, but it
brings peace and respect.
Q3. Which value from the essay do
you find most relevant in today’s world, and why?
Answer: Honesty is most relevant today because corruption and falsehood
are common. Being truthful builds trust and creates a better world.
Q4. How can honesty and discipline
improve one’s career and relationships?
Answer: Honesty earns trust, while discipline ensures consistency.
Together, they lead to success in work and harmony in personal life.
Q5. Write a paragraph on “The
importance of values over material success,” inspired by Kipling’s essay.
Answer:
Material success brings luxury but not peace. Values like truth, kindness, and
humility give life meaning. Kipling reminds us that money fades, but a good
name lasts forever. True success is being respected and loved for one’s
goodness.
🏁 SECTION F – QUOTATION / REFERENCE QUESTIONS
Q1. “Success has no meaning without
character.” — Explain.
Answer: This means that achievements are worthless if gained through
dishonesty or greed. Character gives moral strength and dignity to success.
Q2. “Discipline is the foundation of
all achievement.” — How does Kipling justify this idea?
Answer: Kipling believes that discipline builds order, patience, and
hard work—all of which are essential for achieving any goal in life.
Q3. “It is not wealth but virtue
that gives peace.” — Discuss.
Answer: Wealth satisfies material needs, but virtue satisfies the soul.
A person with virtue enjoys inner peace and respect, while the greedy remain
restless.
