Portrait of Jack Kerouac

Jack Kerouac

On the Road, Beat Generation

Modern influential 96 sayings

Sayings by Jack Kerouac

I was a young man of the world, and I was going to conquer it.

1957 — On the Road
General Unverifiable

I like too many things and get all confused and lonely trying to pick out a handful of things to be devoted to.

1958 — The Dharma Bums
General Unverifiable

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

1957 — On the Road
General Unverifiable

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

1958 — The Dharma Bums
General Unverifiable

I realized that I had to learn to live with my own mistakes, and that was the only way to get on with my life.

1950s — Attributed, general sentiment
General Unverifiable

I shambled after as I've been doing all my life after people who interest me, because the only people who interest me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes 'Awww!'

1957 — On the Road
General Unverifiable

I want to work in a place where I can be myself, and I want to be myself everywhere.

1950s — Attributed, general sentiment
General Unverifiable

I was born to be a wanderer, and I will wander until I die.

1950s — Attributed, general sentiment
General Unverifiable

I don't know what I'm doing, but I'm doing it with all my heart.

1950s — Attributed, general sentiment
General Unverifiable

I'm not a writer, I'm a typist.

1968 — Interview
General Unverifiable

I want to be a writer, but I don't want to write.

1950s — Attributed, general sentiment
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I'm a fool, but I'm a happy fool.

1950s — Attributed, general sentiment
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I'm a genius, but I'm a misunderstood genius.

1950s — Attributed, general sentiment
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I'm a saint, but I'm a sinner too.

1950s — Attributed, general sentiment
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I'm a poet, but I'm a drunk too.

1950s — Attributed, general sentiment
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I'm a philosopher, but I'm a madman too.

1950s — Attributed, general sentiment
General Unverifiable

I'm a spiritual man, but I'm a carnal man too.

1950s — Attributed, general sentiment
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I'm a lover, but I'm a fighter too.

1950s — Attributed, general sentiment
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I'm a dreamer, but I'm a realist too.

1950s — Attributed, general sentiment
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I'm a rebel, but I'm a conformist too.

1950s — Attributed, general sentiment
General Unverifiable
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