"If you aren't gonna say exactly how and what you feel, you might as well not say anything at all."
About Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash, often referred to as 'The Man in Black,' was a pivotal figure in American music, renowned for his ability to convey deep emotional truths through his songs. His distinctive sound blended country, rock, and folk, making him a unique voice in the music landscape. Cash's life was marked by personal struggles, including addiction and loss, which he openly addressed in his music, notably in his cover of Nine Inch Nails' 'Hurt.' This song encapsulates his raw vulnerability and the search for redemption, illustrating his profound connection to themes of pain and healing. Cash's worldview was shaped by his experiences, leading him to express complex emotions in simple yet powerful language. His quote, 'The beast in me is caged by frail and fragile bars,' reveals his internal battles, reflecting a deep understanding of human frailty. He challenged societal norms, often advocating for the marginalized and voicing the struggles of the downtrodden, as seen in songs like 'Folsom Prison Blues.' Today, Johnny Cash's quotes and music resonate with audiences, serving as a reminder of the enduring power of honesty and the human experience. His ability to articulate the complexities of life continues to influence artists and listeners alike, making his work timeless and relevant.
Quote collection
216 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"If you aren't gonna say exactly how and what you feel, you might as well not say anything at all."
"There's no way around grief and loss: you can dodge all you want, but sooner or later you just have to go into it, through it, and, hopefully, come out the other side. The world you find there will never be the same as the world you left."
"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."
"I love the freedoms we got in this country, I appreciate your freedom to burn your flag if you want to, but I really appreciate my right to bear arms so I can shoot you if you try to burn mine."
"You have to be what you are. Whatever you are, you gotta be it."
"There's a lot of things blamed on me that never happened. But then, there's a lot of things that I did that I never got caught at."
"Life is rough so you gotta be tough."
"Life and love go on, let the music play."
"I learn from my mistakes. It’s a very painful way to learn, but without pain, the old saying is, there’s no gain."
"it's good to know who hates you and it is good to be hated by the right people"
"I wore black because I liked it. I still do, and wearing it still means something to me. It's still my symbol of rebellion -- against a stagnant status quo, against our hypocritical houses of God, against people whose minds are closed to others' ideas."
"There is a spiritual side to me that goes real deep, but I confess right up front that I'm the biggest sinner of them all."
"The Master of Lifes been good to me. He has given me strength to face past illnesses, and victory in the face of defeat. He has given me life and joy where other saw oblivion. He Has given new purpose to live for, new services to render and old wounds to heal. Life and love go on, let the music play."
"Sometimes I am two people. Johnny is the nice one. Cash causes all the trouble. They fight."
"All your life, you will be faced with a choice. You can choose love or hate…I choose love."
"Life is the question and life is the answer, and God is the reason and love is the way."
"Burn my Flag and I will shoot you........but I'll shoot you with a lot of love, like a good American"
"No matter how much you've sinned, no matter how much you've stumbled, no matter how much you fall, no matter how far you've got from God, don't give up. You can still be redeemed. As someone says, keep the faith."
"I love songs about horses, railroads, land, Judgment Day, family, hard times, whiskey, courtship, marriage, adultery, separation, murder, war, prison, rambling, damnation, home, salvation, death, pride, humor, piety, rebellion, patriotism, larceny, determination, tragedy, rowdiness, heartbreak and love. And Mother. And God."
"I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way."