By Rudyard Kipling.
Do we really believe this. Is this what he meant? That the way to get ahead is to travel alone? Society today sure does make one feel that way, doesn’t it? I mean, it seems like everything we see trending are things that make us isolate. I know I am a hypocrite with this next statement… Social Media is a major influence. When it first found it’s way into the world it was promoted as a way to belong, be together, shrink the world. But it has done the exact opposite. We only present our best life here, not the day to day struggles or our worst self (unless you count the people who use social media to ridicule and shame others). We are becoming more and more isolated. Well maybe it is time for the true meaning of this quote to become known.
The Winners by Rudyard Kipling
A friend at a pinch is a friend indeed;
But a fool to wait for the laggard behind
Down to Gehenna, or up to the Throne,
He travels the fastest who travels alone.
White hands cling to the tightened rein,
Slipping the spur from the booted heel,
Tenderest voices cry, “Turn again,”
Red lips tarnish the scabbarded steel,
High hopes faint on a warm hearth-stone–
He travels the fastest who travels alone.
One may fall, but he falls by himself–
Falls by himself, with himself to blame;
One may attain, and to him is the pelf–
Loot of the city in Gold or Fame
Plunder of earth shall be all his own
Who travels the fastest, and travels alone.
Wherefore the more ye be holpen and stayed,
Stayed by a friend in the hour of toil,
Sing the heretical song I have made–
His be the labour, and yours be the spoil.
Win by his aid, and the aid disown–
He travels the fastest who travels alone.
