An Easy Summary of the "Values in Life" by Rudyard Kipling

    Rudyard Kipling was an English poet and novelist. He is known for his children’s books including the ever-popular The Jungle Book and Kim. ‘Values in Life’ appears in A Book of Words a volume of Kipling’s collected speeches. The address was originally delivered in the fall of 1907 to the students of McGill University in Montreal, Canada.  

   

    In "Values in Life" Rudyard Kipling explores the theme of greed, honesty, conflict and acceptance. Kipling talks to the students in attendance that one should not be wealthy for wealth’s sake. In reality an individual should be wary of becoming greedy and to be content with their lot when it comes to the issue of money or wealth. A life is wasted by the constant pursuit of wealth. It is difficult for a man to have balance in life and therefore, there is suffering. Though suffering may not be how the individual feels. Wealth in reality is an illusion that man chases thinking that they will be happy. Yet the poorer man can be happier than the man who is wealthy.

    

    There is no honesty when it comes to being greedy. Wealth is also not everything that will make a person happy. Chasing wealth or money in reality is a waste of time and deflects an individual from their real purpose in life. Kipling may also be suggesting that an individual should use what they have learnt for altruistic purposes. That being in an effort to help others rather than chasing wealth. One of the most natural vices for man is to be greedy. It is better to help an individual through life than witness from a distance their downfall. Thinking of others before yourself. It is still none the less just as rewarding to an individual.

    

    However, there are people upon whom the idea of wealth as mere wealth does not work. Neither the methods of amassing wealth interest them, nor do they have any price tag. Such a person is not considered smart. But after studying the man closely, people would realize that money dominates everybody accept that man who doesn’t want money. He will be fearless and do whatever he wants. On the other hand money minded people would fear him and would be controlled by him.

    

    The end of the speech is interesting as Kipling accepts that there are some (students) who will pursue wealth with great gusto and forgo any link with humanity. A man chasing wealth for wealth’s purpose and forgetting about his fellow man. The students are advised to learn more about life by engaging with the man who does not believe in wealth. It is better to be poor and happy than wealthy and miserable.