"We need not destroy the past. It is gone"

In this quote, John Cage is recommending that we do not require to actively attempt to erase or forget about the past. He acknowledges that the past is currently gone and can not be altered. Instead of residence on the previous or trying to ruin it, Cage encourages us to focus on the present and the future. This could be analyzed as a pointer to let go of regrets and errors, and to move forward with a positive state of mind. Cage's words likewise highlight the importance of accepting and gaining from the past, rather than trying to completely erase it from our memories.