But then they danced down the street like dingledodies, and shambled after as I've been doing all my life after people who interest me, because the only people for 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!.

Summary

In this quote from Jack Kerouac's "On the Road," the speaker expresses their preference for individuals who have a fervor for life and a unique, unconventional outlook. They refer to these people as the "mad ones" and find them captivating because of their passion for living, speaking, and being saved, while desiring everything simultaneously. The "mad ones" are portrayed as being distinct from ordinary people (who "yawn" or say mundane things) and are depicted through vivid imagery, likening them to dazzling fireworks. The quote captures the speaker's admiration for those who burn brightly and elicit awe from others.

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