Jack Kerouac was an American novelist and poet whose works included novels On the Road and Dharma Bums. On the Road is a true American classic that defined the Beat Generation, a movement of young people in the 1950s who rejected conventional society and favored Zen Buddhism, modern jazz, free sexuality, and recreational drugs.
Kerouac captures the essence of adventure and simple living. His whimsical and wayward spirit is found in several of these quotes that inspire adventure and a free spirit. Here are some of my favorite Kerouac quotes.
Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.
What’s in store for me in the direction I don’t take?
I felt like lying down by the side of the trail and remembering it all.
So shut up, live, travel, adventure, bless, and don’t be sorry.
Be in love with your life, every detail of it.
There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars.
Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road.
Better to sleep in an uncomfortable bed free, than sleep in a comfortable bed unfree.
It always makes me proud to love the world somehow — hate’s so easy compared.
Avoid the world, it’s just a lot of dust and drag and means nothing in the end.
Happiness consists in realizing it is all a great strange dream.
Houses are full of things that gather dust.
The best teacher is experience and not through someone’s distorted point of view.
Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion.
One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple.
One man practicing kindness in the wilderness is worth all the temples this world pulls.
Life must be rich and full of loving–it’s no good otherwise, no good at all, for anyone.
All human beings are also dream beings. Dreaming ties all mankind together.
The closer you get to real matter, rock air fire and wood, boy, the more spiritual the world is.
If you tell a true story, you can’t be wrong.
There was nothing to talk about anymore. The only thing to do was go.
My shoes are clean from walking in the rain.
Maybe that’s what life is… a wink of the eye and winking stars.