--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ugly accidents happen . . . always have…" description: "\"Ugly accidents happen . . . always have and always will. But the failures are swept back into the pile and forgotten. They don't leave any lasting scar..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b2/willa-cather-634_accidents_ugly-accidents-happen-always-have-and-al_2911913.png" --- # Ugly accidents happen . . . always have and always will… ![“Ugly accidents happen . . . always have and always will. But the failures are swept back into the pile and forgotten. They don't leave any lasting scar in the world, and they don't affect the future. The things that last are the good things. The people who forge ahead and do something, they really…” quote by Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b2/willa-cather-634_accidents_ugly-accidents-happen-always-have-and-al_2911913.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b2/willa-cather-634_accidents_ugly-accidents-happen-always-have-and-al_2911913.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b2/willa-cather-634_accidents_ugly-accidents-happen-always-have-and-al_2911913.png) > “Ugly accidents happen . . . always have and always will. But the failures are swept back into the pile and forgotten. They don't leave any lasting scar in the world, and they don't affect the future. The things that last are the good things. The people who forge ahead and do something, they really count.” [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Minor accidents are frequent and forgotten, while lasting impact comes from positive deeds and those who persevere. **In simple terms:** Small accidents fade; good deeds endure. Key Takeaway Focus on lasting positive actions. Themes perseverance legacy accidents Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - personal development - historical impact - community building Key Concepts impermanence meaning Questions to Reflect On - What lasting impact do you want to leave? - How can we remember small failures constructively? A Different Perspective Neglecting small failures can lead to larger problems later. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accidents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accidents/) [Accidents happen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accidents-happen/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Failures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failures/) [Forgotten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgotten/) [Good thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-thing/) [Good things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-things/) [Happen Failures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happen-failures-4197585/) [Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens/) [Lasting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lasting/) [Lasts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lasts/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Scar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scar/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Ugly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ugly/) [Ugly Accidents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ugly-accidents-4197584/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“The scars from mental cruelty can be as deep and long-lasting as wounds from punches or slaps but are often not as obvious. 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In other words, its art is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-virilio/the-cinema-was-certainly-an-art-but-television-can-t-be-because-it-is/) [Paul Virilio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-virilio/) > [“The time is gone when mere accidents could still happen to me; and what could still come to me now that was not mine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/the-time-is-gone-when-mere-accidents-could-still-happen-to-me-and/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“Enlightenments, like accidents, happen only to prepared minds. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/enlightenments-like-accidents-happen-only-to-prepared-minds/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In a city where you walk around, it's impossible to plan your day and your life as accidents will happen, you'll overhear things, bump…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-schwartzman/in-a-city-where-you-walk-around-it-s-impossible-to-plan-your-day-and/) [Jason Schwartzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-schwartzman/) ## More by Willa Cather > [The end is nothing; the road is all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/the-end-is-nothing-the-road-is-all/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [Of all the bewildering things about a new country, the absence of human landmarks is one of the most depressing and disheartening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/of-all-the-bewildering-things-about-a-new-country-the-absence-of/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [Success is less interesting than struggle. 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