“We are Forerunners. Guardians of all that exists. The roots of the Galaxy have grown deep under our careful tending. Where there is life, the wisdom of our countless generations has saturated the soil. Our strength is a luminous sun, towards which all intelligence blossoms… And the impervious shelter, beneath which it has prospered.”

Gentlemen Rankers by Rudyard Kipling

One of Kipling’s best poems, this one- referenced, rather fittingly, as a marching song in Starship Troopers, and still one of the finest examples anywhere of what it really means to be a soldier in service to Queen and country: To the legion of the lost ones,...

The English Flag by Rudyard Kipling

I referenced this poem in my Memorial Day post, but I only picked out like two great stanzas from one of Kipling’s best ever poems. Unlike a lot of triumphalist poems or songs, this one doesn’t present imperial Britain as a hegemony built on rainbows and...

The White Man’s Burden by Rudyard Kipling

I have never understood the long-standing allegation that this poem is about racism and speaks favourably about imperialism. I come from one of the former British colonies; my parents are both far bigger anti-imperialists than I am (especially my dad- he once very...

If by Rudyard Kipling

Given the title of the poem, here’s one “if” that I hope to see come to pass in my time: If I ever have a son, I’m going to buy him the complete works of Kipling, for him to go through as he grows into manhood. He will get a better education...

A case for faith

There’s no sense in going further — it’s the edge of cultivation,” So they said, and I believed it — broke my land and sowed my crop — Built my barns and strung my fences in the little border station Tucked away below the foothills...

Hymn Before Action by Rudyard Kipling

I just finished reading John Ringo’s outstanding first novel in the Legacy of the Aldenata series, A Hymn Before Battle. Aside from being a terrific writer and a clearly highly literate man, Mr. Ringo is a HUGE Kipling fan. As I’ve stated before, I...

In the Rukh by Rudyard Kipling

I can’t think of a single red-pill type who isn’t a fan of at least some of Kipling’s work. I know that he has a huge following among those who have served in the military- there is something about Kipling’s writing style that seems to...

The Law of the Jungle by Rudyard Kipling

I must have first read The Jungle Book when I was maybe five or six. I’ve loved it ever since. This is one of my personal favourite parts of the Second Jungle Book- the exposition of the Law of the Jungle. Reading it is a very good reminder as to precisely what...