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About this quote

What does it mean?
Cash accepts physical decline as the cost of his career in music and performing.
In plain terms
He is okay with wearing out his body because he did it for a good reason.
What can you take from it?
Sacrifice is acceptable when it serves a meaningful purpose.

Where it applies

  • reflecting on a career
  • accepting aging
  • valuing work over comfort

Putting it to work

  • evaluating life choices
  • justifying hard work
  • finding meaning in service

Questions to consider

  • What costs are you willing to pay for your work?
  • How do you define a good purpose?

Another view

It ignores the personal health costs that might outweigh the professional achievements.

More from Johnny Cash

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  2. The line 'because you're mine, I walk the line.' It kept coming to me, you know? But I was - I was ... young and not been married too long. Yes, it kept coming…

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  3. Cash: I went into a coma and I was there for 12 days. They all thought I was dying and they couldn't diagnose what was wrong with me. They finally came up with…

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