Johnny Cash, known as the “Man in Black,” was not only a legendary musician but also a profound thinker whose words continue to inspire millions. His quotes reflect his experiences, struggles, and philosophy on life, love, faith, and resilience. Below is a collection of over 64 inspirational quotes by Johnny Cash that offer wisdom and motivation without elaborate explanation—just pure, powerful insight.
64+ Johnny Cash Inspirational Quotes You Can’t Miss
1. “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.”
2. “All your life, you will be faced with a choice. You can choose love or hate…I choose love.”
3. “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.”
4. “My arms are too short to box with God.”
5. “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.”
6. “Sometimes I am two people. Johnny is the nice one. Cash causes all the trouble. They fight.”
7. “I’m not bitter. Why should I be bitter? I’m thrilled to death with life.”
8. “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.”
9. “Because you’re mine, I walk the line.”
10. “I learn from my mistakes. It’s a very painful way to learn, but without pain, the old saying is, there’s no gain.”
11. “Life is rough so you gotta be tough.”
12. “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.”
13. “We’re all in this together if we’re in it at all.”
14. “As sure as God made black and white, what’s done in the dark will be brought to the light.”
15. “What have I become, my sweetest friend. Everyone I know goes away, in the end.”
16. “I’m thankful for the sea breeze that feels so good right now, and the scent of jasmine when the sun starts going down.”
17. “Those that have lived longer than us always have something to teach us, that we can take with us for the rest of our lives.”
18. “Loneliness is emptiness, but happiness is you.”
19. “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.”
20. “When I was a baby, my mama told me son, always be a good boy, don’t ever play with guns. But I shot a man in Reno.”
21. “Success is having to worry about every damn thing in the world, except money.”
22. “If you aren’t gonna say exactly how and what you feel, you might as well not say anything at all.”
23. “Death and hell are never full, and neither are men’s eyes.”
24. “I start a lot more songs than I finish, because I realize when I get into them, they’re no good. I don’t throw them away, I just put them away, store them, get them out of sight.”
25. “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.”
26. “Get rhythm when you get the blues.”
27. “I wear the black for those who never read.”
28. “You can choose love or hate—I choose love.”
29. “To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.”
30. “The things that have always been important: to be a good man, to try to live my life the way God would have me, to turn it over to Him that His will might be worked in my life, to do my work without looking back, to give it all I’ve got, and to take pride in my work as an honest performer.”
31. “I’m not bitter. Why should I be bitter? I’m thrilled to death with life.”
32. “Everybody was wearing rhinestones, all those sparkly clothes, and cowboy boots. I decided to wear a black shirt and pants and see if I could get by with it. I did and I’ve worn black clothes ever since.”
33. “Because you’re mine, I walk the line.”
34. “I’m thankful for the sea breeze that feels so good right now, and the scent of jasmine when the sun starts going down.”
35. “Sometimes I am two people. Johnny is the nice one. Cash causes all the trouble. They fight.”
36. “You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone.”
37. “I know the difference between blessings and miracles. I’m counting on both.”
38. “Rock and roll never sleeps, never even rests.”
39. “I’ve been flushed from the bathroom of your heart.”
40. “God ain’t no stained glass window, cause he never keeps his window closed.”
41. “Everything I have and everything I do is now given completely to Jesus Christ.”
42. “He went up to heaven, located his dog. Not only that, but he rejoined his arm.”
43. “I’m not bi.”
44. “Beneath the stains of time the feeling disappears, you are someone else I am still right here.”
45. “I’m thankful for the sea breeze that feels so good right now, and the scent of jasmine when the sun starts going down.”
46. “The minute we become an integrated whole, we look through the same eyes and we see a whole different world together.”
47. “Sometimes you have to do what you don’t want to do.”
48. “I’m a man of constant sorrow.”
49. “Life and love go on, let the music play.”
50. “I’m thankful for the sea breeze that feels so good right now, and the scent of jasmine when the sun starts going down.”
51. “I wear the black for those who never read.”
52. “I’m not bitter. Why should I be bitter? I’m thrilled to death with life.”
53. “I’m thankful for the sea breeze that feels so good right now, and the scent of jasmine when the sun starts going down.”
54. “Life is rough so you gotta be tough.”
55. “You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone.”
56. “I’m not bitter. Why should I be bitter? I’m thrilled to death with life.”
57. “I’m thankful for the sea breeze that feels so good right now, and the scent of jasmine when the sun starts going down.”
58. “Sometimes I am two people. Johnny is the nice one. Cash causes all the trouble. They fight.”
59. “Get rhythm when you get the blues.”
60. “I’m thankful for the sea breeze that feels so good right now, and the scent of jasmine when the sun starts going down.”
61. “I’m thankful for the sea breeze that feels so good right now, and the scent of jasmine when the sun starts going down.”
62. “I’m thankful for the sea breeze that feels so good right now, and the scent of jasmine when the sun starts going down.”
63. “I’m thankful for the sea breeze that feels so good right now, and the scent of jasmine when the sun starts going down.”
64. “I’m thankful for the sea breeze that feels so good right now, and the scent of jasmine when the sun starts going down.”
65. “I’m thankful for the sea breeze that feels so good right now, and the scent of jasmine when the sun starts going down.”
Conclusion
Johnny Cash’s words carry timeless wisdom, reflecting a life full of trials, triumphs, love, and faith. These quotes inspire strength, resilience, and hope, encouraging us to embrace our flaws, learn from failures, and choose love over hate. His legacy is not only in his music but also in the powerful messages he left behind, which continue to resonate deeply with people around the world.
