Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

100 Motivational Quotes By Jack Kerouac, The Author Of The Dharma Bums

Famous As: Novelist and Poet Best Known for His Novels: ‘On the Road', ‘The Dharma Bums’ and ‘Big Sur’
Born On: March 12, 1922
Died On: October 21, 1969
Born In: Lowell, Massachusetts, United States
Died At Age: 47

Jean Louis Lebris de Kerouac, who later came to be known as Jack Kerouac, was an American writer of poems and novels. Kerouac was one of the pioneering writers of the 1950s and 1960s, who was one of the icons of the ‘Beats Generation’ that rejected standard narratives in American society. Kerouac was an iconoclast par excellence who questioned some of the most sensitive topics in American society like religion, drug and promiscuity among other. Along with authors like Allen Ginsberg and William Burroughs, he became one of the most influential intellectuals of the era. During his lifetime, Kerouac had become an underground icon of sorts but his untimely death at the age of 47 in 1969 made him a mainstream star. Following his death; plenty of books had also been published posthumously and his following has only grown. Some of his most famous works include Big Sur, Visions of Cody, Mexico City Blues, The Town and the City, The Dharma Bums and many other, which are still read by people from all across the world. Kerouac was a man of great wit and wisdom, who delivered some great one-liners in his real life and also in his considerable body of work. Here are some of the very best.

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One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple.

One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple.

Jack Kerouac
Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don't be sorry.

Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don't be sorry.

Jack Kerouac
There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars.

There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars.

Jack Kerouac
I like too many things and get all confused and hung-up running from one falling star to another till i drop. This is the night, what it does to you. I had nothing to offer anybody except my own confusion.

I like too many things and get all confused and hung-up running from one falling star to another till i drop. This is the night, what it does to you. I had nothing to offer anybody except my own confusion.

Jack Kerouac
The only truth is music.

The only truth is music.

Jack Kerouac
Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road.

Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road.

Jack Kerouac
My fault, my failure, is not in the passions I have, but in my lack of control of them.

My fault, my failure, is not in the passions I have, but in my lack of control of them.

Jack Kerouac
The air was soft, the stars so fine, the promise of every cobbled alley so great, that I thought I was in a dream.

The air was soft, the stars so fine, the promise of every cobbled alley so great, that I thought I was in a dream.

Jack Kerouac
A pain stabbed my heart, as it did every time I saw a girl I loved who was going the opposite direction in this too-big world.

A pain stabbed my heart, as it did every time I saw a girl I loved who was going the opposite direction in this too-big world.

Jack Kerouac
The best teacher is experience and not through someone's distorted point of view

The best teacher is experience and not through someone's distorted point of view

Jack Kerouac
Happiness consists in realizing it is all a great strange dream

Happiness consists in realizing it is all a great strange dream

Jack Kerouac
Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion.

Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion.

Jack Kerouac
Don't use the phone. People are never ready to answer it. Use poetry.

Don't use the phone. People are never ready to answer it. Use poetry.

Jack Kerouac
I was surprised, as always, by how easy the act of leaving was, and how good it felt. The world was suddenly rich with possibility.

I was surprised, as always, by how easy the act of leaving was, and how good it felt. The world was suddenly rich with possibility.

Jack Kerouac
I don't know, I don't care, and it doesn't make any difference.

I don't know, I don't care, and it doesn't make any difference.

Jack Kerouac
Will you love me in December as you do in May?

Will you love me in December as you do in May?

Jack Kerouac
My witness is the empty sky.

My witness is the empty sky.

Jack Kerouac
It all ends in tears anyway.

It all ends in tears anyway.

Jack Kerouac
I had nothing to offer anybody except my own confusion.

I had nothing to offer anybody except my own confusion.

Jack Kerouac
Because he had no place he could stay in without getting tired of it and because there was nowhere to go but everywhere, keep rolling under the stars...

Because he had no place he could stay in without getting tired of it and because there was nowhere to go but everywhere, keep rolling under the stars...

Jack Kerouac
My whole wretched life swam before my weary eyes, and I realized no matter what you do it's bound to be a waste of time in the end so you might as well go mad.

My whole wretched life swam before my weary eyes, and I realized no matter what you do it's bound to be a waste of time in the end so you might as well go mad.

Jack Kerouac
Beautiful insane
in the rain

Beautiful insane in the rain

Jack Kerouac
What's in store for me in the direction I don't take?

What's in store for me in the direction I don't take?

Jack Kerouac
I'm going to marry my novels and have little short stories for children.

I'm going to marry my novels and have little short stories for children.

Jack Kerouac
It always makes me proud to love the world somehow- hate's so easy compared.

It always makes me proud to love the world somehow- hate's so easy compared.

Jack Kerouac
Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.

Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.

Jack Kerouac
Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life

Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life

Jack Kerouac
Life must be rich and full of loving--it's no good otherwise, no good at all, for anyone.

Life must be rich and full of loving--it's no good otherwise, no good at all, for anyone.

Jack Kerouac
I saw that my life was a vast glowing empty page and I could do anything I wanted.

I saw that my life was a vast glowing empty page and I could do anything I wanted.

Jack Kerouac
Sal, we gotta go and never stop going 'till we get there.'
'Where we going, man?'
'I don't know but we gotta go.

Sal, we gotta go and never stop going 'till we get there.' 'Where we going, man?' 'I don't know but we gotta go.

Jack Kerouac
Houses are full of things that gather dust

Houses are full of things that gather dust

Jack Kerouac
And the story of love is a long sad tale ending in graves.

And the story of love is a long sad tale ending in graves.

Jack Kerouac
On soft Spring nights I'll stand in the yard under the stars - Something good will come out of all things yet - And it will be golden and eternal just like that - There's no need to say another word.

On soft Spring nights I'll stand in the yard under the stars - Something good will come out of all things yet - And it will be golden and eternal just like that - There's no need to say another word.

Jack Kerouac
I'm writing this book because we're all going to die.

I'm writing this book because we're all going to die.

Jack Kerouac
Finding Nirvana is like locating silence.

Finding Nirvana is like locating silence.

Jack Kerouac
So therefore I dedicate myself, to my art, my sleep, my dreams, my labors, my suffrances, my loneliness, my unique madness, my endless absorption and hunger because I cannot dedicate myself to any fellow being.

So therefore I dedicate myself, to my art, my sleep, my dreams, my labors, my suffrances, my loneliness, my unique madness, my endless absorption and hunger because I cannot dedicate myself to any fellow being.

Jack Kerouac
One man practicing kindness in the wilderness is worth all the temples this world pulls.

One man practicing kindness in the wilderness is worth all the temples this world pulls.

Jack Kerouac
But why think about that when all the golden lands ahead of you and all kinds of unforseen events wait lurking to surprise you and make you glad you're alive to see?

But why think about that when all the golden lands ahead of you and all kinds of unforseen events wait lurking to surprise you and make you glad you're alive to see?

Jack Kerouac
As I grew older I became a drunk. Why? Because I like ecstasy of the mind.

As I grew older I became a drunk. Why? Because I like ecstasy of the mind.

Jack Kerouac
Something good will come of all things yet

Something good will come of all things yet

Jack Kerouac
They have worries, they're counting the miles, they're thinking about where to sleep tonight, how much money for gas, the weather, how they'll get there - and all the time they'll get there anyway, you see.

They have worries, they're counting the miles, they're thinking about where to sleep tonight, how much money for gas, the weather, how they'll get there - and all the time they'll get there anyway, you see.

Jack Kerouac
Pain or love or danger makes you real again....

Pain or love or danger makes you real again....

Jack Kerouac
We turned at a dozen paces, for love is a duel, and looked at each other for the last time.

We turned at a dozen paces, for love is a duel, and looked at each other for the last time.

Jack Kerouac
Don't touch me, I'm full of snakes.

Don't touch me, I'm full of snakes.

Jack Kerouac
Offer them what they secretly want and they of course immediately become panic-stricken.

Offer them what they secretly want and they of course immediately become panic-stricken.

Jack Kerouac
I feel guilty for being a member of the human race.

I feel guilty for being a member of the human race.

Jack Kerouac
This is the story of America. Everybody's doing what they think they're supposed to do.

This is the story of America. Everybody's doing what they think they're supposed to do.

Jack Kerouac
A sociable smile is nothing but a mouth full of teeth

A sociable smile is nothing but a mouth full of teeth

Jack Kerouac
Are we fallen angels who didn't want to believe that nothing is nothing and so were born to lose our loved ones and dear friends one by one and finally our own life, to see it proved?

Are we fallen angels who didn't want to believe that nothing is nothing and so were born to lose our loved ones and dear friends one by one and finally our own life, to see it proved?

Jack Kerouac
Things are so hard to figure out when you live from day to day in this feverish and silly world.

Things are so hard to figure out when you live from day to day in this feverish and silly world.

Jack Kerouac
My aunt once said that the world would never find peace until men fell at their women's feet and asked for forgiveness.

My aunt once said that the world would never find peace until men fell at their women's feet and asked for forgiveness.

Jack Kerouac
Maybe that's what life is... a wink of the eye and winking stars.

Maybe that's what life is... a wink of the eye and winking stars.

Jack Kerouac
As far as I'm concerned the only thing to do is sit in a room and get drunk

As far as I'm concerned the only thing to do is sit in a room and get drunk

Jack Kerouac
Soon it got dusk, a grapy dusk, a purple dusk over tangerine groves and long melon fields; the sun the color of pressed grapes, slashed with burgandy red, the fields the color of love and Spanish mysteries.

Soon it got dusk, a grapy dusk, a purple dusk over tangerine groves and long melon fields; the sun the color of pressed grapes, slashed with burgandy red, the fields the color of love and Spanish mysteries.

Jack Kerouac
I like too many things and get all confused and hung-up running from one falling star to another til I drop.

I like too many things and get all confused and hung-up running from one falling star to another til I drop.

Jack Kerouac
The page is long, blank, and full of truth. When I am through with it, it shall probably be long, full, and empty with words.

The page is long, blank, and full of truth. When I am through with it, it shall probably be long, full, and empty with words.

Jack Kerouac
Ah, life is a gate, a way, a path to Paradise anyway, why not live for fun and joy and love or some sort of girl by a fireside, why not go to your desire and LAUGH...

Ah, life is a gate, a way, a path to Paradise anyway, why not live for fun and joy and love or some sort of girl by a fireside, why not go to your desire and LAUGH...

Jack Kerouac
The closer you get to real matter, rock air fire and wood, boy, the more spiritual the world is.

The closer you get to real matter, rock air fire and wood, boy, the more spiritual the world is.

Jack Kerouac
I was halfway across America, at the dividing line between the East of my youth and the West of my future.

I was halfway across America, at the dividing line between the East of my youth and the West of my future.

Jack Kerouac
We agreed to love each other madly.

We agreed to love each other madly.

Jack Kerouac
If moderation is a fault, then indifference is a crime.

If moderation is a fault, then indifference is a crime.

Jack Kerouac
I just won't sleep,

I just won't sleep," I decided. There were so many other interesting things to do.

Jack Kerouac
The road is life

The road is life

Jack Kerouac
I hope it is true that a man can die and yet not only live in others but give them life, and not only life, but that great consciousness of life.

I hope it is true that a man can die and yet not only live in others but give them life, and not only life, but that great consciousness of life.

Jack Kerouac
I promise I shall never give up, and that I'll die yelling and laughing, and that until then I'll rush around this world I insist is holy and pull at everyone's lapel and make them confess to me and to all.

I promise I shall never give up, and that I'll die yelling and laughing, and that until then I'll rush around this world I insist is holy and pull at everyone's lapel and make them confess to me and to all.

Jack Kerouac
They build their own Hells.

They build their own Hells.

Jack Kerouac
All human beings are also dream beings. Dreaming ties all mankind together.

All human beings are also dream beings. Dreaming ties all mankind together.

Jack Kerouac
But, outside of being a sweet little girl, she was awfully dumb and capable of doing horrible things.

But, outside of being a sweet little girl, she was awfully dumb and capable of doing horrible things.

Jack Kerouac
My eyes were glued on life
and they were full of tears.

My eyes were glued on life and they were full of tears.

Jack Kerouac
It'll take you eternities to get rid of me,' she adds sadly, which makes me jealous, I want her to say I'll never get rid of her - I wanta be chased till eternity till I catch her.

It'll take you eternities to get rid of me,' she adds sadly, which makes me jealous, I want her to say I'll never get rid of her - I wanta be chased till eternity till I catch her.

Jack Kerouac
LA is the loneliest and most brutal of American cities; NY gets god-awful cold in the winter but there's a feeling of wacky comradeship somewhere in some streets. LA is a jungle.

LA is the loneliest and most brutal of American cities; NY gets god-awful cold in the winter but there's a feeling of wacky comradeship somewhere in some streets. LA is a jungle.

Jack Kerouac
Forgive everyone for your own sins and be sure to tell them you love them which you do.

Forgive everyone for your own sins and be sure to tell them you love them which you do.

Jack Kerouac
Better to sleep in an uncomfortable bed free, than sleep in a comfortable bed unfree.

Better to sleep in an uncomfortable bed free, than sleep in a comfortable bed unfree.

Jack Kerouac
His friends said,

His friends said, "Why do you have that ugly thing hanging there?" and Bull said, "I like it because it's ugly." All his life was in that line.

Jack Kerouac
There are worse things than being mad.

There are worse things than being mad.

Jack Kerouac
Sure baby, mañana. It was always mañana. For the next few weeks that was all I heard––mañana a lovely word and one that probably means heaven.

Sure baby, mañana. It was always mañana. For the next few weeks that was all I heard––mañana a lovely word and one that probably means heaven.

Jack Kerouac
For the first time in my life the weather was not something that touched me, that caressed me, froze or sweated me, but became me.

For the first time in my life the weather was not something that touched me, that caressed me, froze or sweated me, but became me.

Jack Kerouac
Let nature do the freezing and frightening and isolating in this world. let men work and love and fight it off.

Let nature do the freezing and frightening and isolating in this world. let men work and love and fight it off.

Jack Kerouac
And when the fog's over and the stars and the moon come out at night it'll be a beautiful sight.

And when the fog's over and the stars and the moon come out at night it'll be a beautiful sight.

Jack Kerouac
The beauty of things must be that they end.

The beauty of things must be that they end.

Jack Kerouac
My manners, abominable at times, can be sweet. As I grew older I became a drunk. Why? Because I like ecstasy of the mind. I'm a wretch. But I love, love.

My manners, abominable at times, can be sweet. As I grew older I became a drunk. Why? Because I like ecstasy of the mind. I'm a wretch. But I love, love.

Jack Kerouac
Ah, it was a fine night, a warm night, a wine-drinking night, a moony night, and a night to hug your girl and talk and spit and be heavengoing.

Ah, it was a fine night, a warm night, a wine-drinking night, a moony night, and a night to hug your girl and talk and spit and be heavengoing.

Jack Kerouac
All he needed was a wheel in his hand and four on the road.

All he needed was a wheel in his hand and four on the road.

Jack Kerouac
The details are the life of it, I insist, say everything on your mind, don’t hold back, don’t analyze or anything as you go along, say it out.

The details are the life of it, I insist, say everything on your mind, don’t hold back, don’t analyze or anything as you go along, say it out.

Jack Kerouac
Let the mind beware, that though the flesh be bugged, the circumstances of existence are pretty glorious.

Let the mind beware, that though the flesh be bugged, the circumstances of existence are pretty glorious.

Jack Kerouac
Roaring dreams take place in a perfectly silent mind. Now that we know this, throw the raft away.

Roaring dreams take place in a perfectly silent mind. Now that we know this, throw the raft away.

Jack Kerouac
...we all must admit that everything is fine and there's no need in the world to worry, and in fact we should realize what it would mean to us to UNDERSTAND that we're not REALLY worried about ANYTHING.

...we all must admit that everything is fine and there's no need in the world to worry, and in fact we should realize what it would mean to us to UNDERSTAND that we're not REALLY worried about ANYTHING.

Jack Kerouac
Bee, why are you staring at me? I am not a flower??

Bee, why are you staring at me? I am not a flower??

Jack Kerouac
When you've understood this scripture, throw it away. If you can't understand this scripture, throw it away. I insist on your freedom.

When you've understood this scripture, throw it away. If you can't understand this scripture, throw it away. I insist on your freedom.

Jack Kerouac
Pretty girls make graves

Pretty girls make graves

Jack Kerouac
Be in love with your life, every detail of it.

Be in love with your life, every detail of it.

Jack Kerouac
I like too many things and get all confused and hung-up running from one falling star to another till I drop. This is the night, what it does to you.

I like too many things and get all confused and hung-up running from one falling star to another till I drop. This is the night, what it does to you.

Jack Kerouac
You'd be surprised how little I knew even up to yesterday

You'd be surprised how little I knew even up to yesterday

Jack Kerouac
Love is all.

Love is all.

Jack Kerouac
What difference does it make after all?--anonymity in the world of men is better than fame in heaven, for what’s heaven? what’s earth? All in the mind.

What difference does it make after all?--anonymity in the world of men is better than fame in heaven, for what’s heaven? what’s earth? All in the mind.

Jack Kerouac
I wished I was on the same bus as her. A pain stabbed my heart as it did everytime I saw a girl I loved who was going the opposite direction in this too-big world of ours.

I wished I was on the same bus as her. A pain stabbed my heart as it did everytime I saw a girl I loved who was going the opposite direction in this too-big world of ours.

Jack Kerouac
The empty blue sky of space says 'All this comes back to me, then goes again, and comes back again, then goes again, and I don't care, it still belongs to me

The empty blue sky of space says 'All this comes back to me, then goes again, and comes back again, then goes again, and I don't care, it still belongs to me

Jack Kerouac
It was a rainy night. It was the myth of a rainy night.

It was a rainy night. It was the myth of a rainy night.

Jack Kerouac
And don't you know that God is Pooh Bear?

And don't you know that God is Pooh Bear?

Jack Kerouac
The road must eventually lead to the whole world.

The road must eventually lead to the whole world.

Jack Kerouac