If the young man to whom the poem is being addressed is to be a well-rounded figure in life, there are a number of very difficult things he has to do. As well as meeting triumph and disaster and treating these “two impostors” just the same and keeping his head while all around him everyone is losing theirs, he needs to be able to deal with many people from different walks of life. It is vital, therefore, that the listener of the poem must prepare himself to "walk with Kings," to be comfortable in the presence of the high and mighty, and also "talk with crowds," or converse with ordinary, everyday folk.

These are just the kind of skills one would need in order to become a politician or a colonial administrator in Kipling's day. Such men—and all of them would've been men—would, in the course of their duties, have to deal with people from different social backgrounds. Politicians, in particular, would be expected to have, or at least appear to have, the common touch, that unique ability to make a connection with the voters, the people, who in a democracy, are the ones responsible for electing politicians. If such politicians are to remain in their jobs, then it is vital that they can "talk with crowds."

At the same time, they must keep their virtue, meaning they must not succumb to the people's vices, a common danger with politicians who court popularity among the masses. Another way of saying this is to say that leaders, politicians, colonial administrators, or whoever they are, must always remain true to themselves and do what they think is right, even it means making decisions that are unpopular with the common people.