Adjective Quote by Robert M. Pirsig
“Good is a noun rather than an adjective.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, 1974
It suggests that “good” functions as a noun, a thing to be pursued, rather than a descriptive adjective.
In simple terms: Good is a thing, not a description.
Key Takeaway
Treat “good” as a goal to achieve.
Themes
philosophy
language
ethics
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal development
- decision making
- value assessment
Key Concepts
ontology
semantic analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- How does labeling “good” as a noun affect your judgments?
- Can something be both a noun and an adjective?
A Different Perspective
The noun view can limit nuanced evaluation of qualities.
