"You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space."

History

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Thematic Reflection

This quotation examines the core nature of History as articulated by Johnny Cash. Within historical and literary traditions, reflections on History provide actionable mental models, challenging individuals to evaluate personal ethics, self-discipline, and daily actions.

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About Johnny Cash

John R. Cash was an American singer-songwriter. Most of his music contains themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially songs from the later stages of his career. He was known for his deep, calm, bass-baritone voice, the distinctive sound of his backing band, the Tennessee Three, that was characterized by its train-like chugging guitar rhythms, a rebelliousness coupled with an increasingly somber and humble demeanor, and his free prison concerts. Cash wore a trademark all-black stage wardrobe, which earned him the nickname "Man in Black".

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More by Johnny Cash

"When I record somebody else's song, I have to make it my own or it doesn't feel right. I'll say to myself, I wrote this and he doesn't know it!"

— Johnny Cash
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"It's like a novelist writing far out things. If it makes a point and makes sense, then people like to read that. But if it's off in left field and goes over the edge, you lose it. The same with musical talent, I think."

— Johnny Cash
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"I wear black because I'm comfortable in it. But then in the summertime when it's hot I'm comfortable in light blue."

— Johnny Cash
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"How well I have learned that there is no fence to sit on between heaven and hell. There is a deep, wide gulf, a chasm, and in that chasm is no place for any man."

— Johnny Cash
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More about History

"As I speak to you today, government censors somewhere are working furiously to erase my words from the records of history. But history itself has already condemned these tactics."

— Hillary Clinton
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"And it has some weight, I mean, the whole history of the gargoyles, that's some wonderful stuff."

— Keith David
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"When history is erased, people's moral values are also erased."

— Ma Jian
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"In the past I have defended the right of the IRA to engage in armed struggle. I did so because there was no alternative for those who would not bend the knee, or turn a blind eye to oppression, or for those who wanted a national republic."

— Gerry Adams
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