Book Notes/Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

by Robert M. Pirsig

"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" intertwines a motorcycle road trip with philosophical reflections on quality and the meaning of life. Through the journey, the narrator explores the relationship between technology and humanity, ultimately seeking to reconcile rationality and spirituality. The book serves as a meditation on the art of living and the pursuit of personal understanding.

10 curated highlights from this book

Key Insights & Memorable Quotes

Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.

The place to improve the world is first in one's own heart and head and hands.
You are not your thoughts; you are not your emotions; you are not your body.
The motorcycle is a great vehicle for the pursuit of quality.
When its quiet, you can hear the motorcycle.
To live only for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain that sustain life, not the top.
The real cycle you're working on is a cycle called yourself.
Quality is not just a thing you create; it's a relationship.
The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.
A person who thinks all the time has nothing to think about except thoughts.
In the end, the only things we can control are our thoughts, our actions, and our attitudes.