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98 Marilyn Monroe's Powerful Quotes To Take You Through Tough Times

Famous As: American Actress Who Became One of the Most Popular Sex Symbols of the 1950s and Early 1960s
Born On: June 1, 1926
Died On: August 4, 1962
Born In: Los Angeles, California, United States
Died At Age: 36

Marilyn Monroe had an enigmatic persona along with her ever-growing sex appeal and sensuality. With her beauty and style, she went on to develop a major cult following in the pop culture. She was ranked amongst the “100 Most Significant American of all time” by the Smithsonian Institute. She revolted against female being looked as an object and brought about the sensitive aspects of being a female. Marilyn Monroe was against the prevailing biases in society in favor of men, and the notions developed in the society due to their mannerism. She was always vocal about subjects such as feminism, beauty, life and happiness. We have collected her notable quotes from her movies, interviews, speeches and observations. Her quotes show that Marilyn had a thing or two to say about life, love, society, men, women, and how to be happy. Here are our collection of Marilyn quotes that give the best insight into how she thought.

I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.

I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.

Marilyn Monroe
Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.

Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.

Marilyn Monroe
If you can make a woman laugh, you can make her do anything.

If you can make a woman laugh, you can make her do anything.

Marilyn Monroe
A wise girl kisses but doesn't love, listens but doesn't believe, and leaves before she is left.

A wise girl kisses but doesn't love, listens but doesn't believe, and leaves before she is left.

Marilyn Monroe
The real lover is the man who can thrill you by kissing your forehead or smiling into your eyes or just staring into space.

The real lover is the man who can thrill you by kissing your forehead or smiling into your eyes or just staring into space.

Marilyn Monroe
I am good, but not an angel. I do sin, but I am not the devil. I am just a small girl in a big world trying to find someone to love.

I am good, but not an angel. I do sin, but I am not the devil. I am just a small girl in a big world trying to find someone to love.

Marilyn Monroe
If you're gonna be two-faced at least make one of them pretty.

If you're gonna be two-faced at least make one of them pretty.

Marilyn Monroe
It's far better to be unhappy alone than unhappy with someone — so far.

It's far better to be unhappy alone than unhappy with someone — so far.

Marilyn Monroe
When it comes down to it, I let them think what they want. If they care enough to bother with what I do, then I'm already better than them.

When it comes down to it, I let them think what they want. If they care enough to bother with what I do, then I'm already better than them.

Marilyn Monroe
We should all start to live before we get too old. Fear is stupid. So are regrets.

We should all start to live before we get too old. Fear is stupid. So are regrets.

Marilyn Monroe
She was a girl who knew how to be happy even when she was sad. And that’s important—you know

She was a girl who knew how to be happy even when she was sad. And that’s important—you know

Marilyn Monroe
All little girls should be told they are pretty, even if they aren't.

All little girls should be told they are pretty, even if they aren't.

Marilyn Monroe
It's not true that I had nothing on. I had the radio on.

It's not true that I had nothing on. I had the radio on.

Marilyn Monroe
Beneath the makeup and behind the smile I am just a girl who wishes for the world.

Beneath the makeup and behind the smile I am just a girl who wishes for the world.

Marilyn Monroe
I don't mind living in a man's world, as long as I can be a woman in it.

I don't mind living in a man's world, as long as I can be a woman in it.

Marilyn Monroe
The nicest thing for me is sleep, then at least I can dream.

The nicest thing for me is sleep, then at least I can dream.

Marilyn Monroe
Who said nights were for sleep?

Who said nights were for sleep?

Marilyn Monroe
You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself.

You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself.

Marilyn Monroe
All we demanded was our right to twinkle.

All we demanded was our right to twinkle.

Marilyn Monroe
It's often just enough to be with someone. I don't need to touch them. Not even talk. A feeling passes between you both. You're not alone.

It's often just enough to be with someone. I don't need to touch them. Not even talk. A feeling passes between you both. You're not alone.

Marilyn Monroe
Dogs never bite me. Just humans.

Dogs never bite me. Just humans.

Marilyn Monroe
If I'd observed all the rules I'd never have got anywhere.

If I'd observed all the rules I'd never have got anywhere.

Marilyn Monroe
Success makes so many people hate you. I wish it wasn't that way. It would be wonderful to enjoy success without seeing envy in the eyes of those around you.

Success makes so many people hate you. I wish it wasn't that way. It would be wonderful to enjoy success without seeing envy in the eyes of those around you.

Marilyn Monroe
Keep smiling, because life is a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.

Keep smiling, because life is a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.

Marilyn Monroe
I want to grow old without facelifts. I want to have the courage to be loyal to the face I have made.

I want to grow old without facelifts. I want to have the courage to be loyal to the face I have made.

Marilyn Monroe
Sometimes things fall apart so that better things can fall together

Sometimes things fall apart so that better things can fall together

Marilyn Monroe
I don't know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot!

I don't know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot!

Marilyn Monroe
All a girl really wants is for one guy to prove to her that they are not all the same.

All a girl really wants is for one guy to prove to her that they are not all the same.

Marilyn Monroe
I don't mind making jokes, but I don't want to look like one.

I don't mind making jokes, but I don't want to look like one.

Marilyn Monroe
Sex is part of nature. I go along with nature.

Sex is part of nature. I go along with nature.

Marilyn Monroe
You never know what life is like, until you have lived it.

You never know what life is like, until you have lived it.

Marilyn Monroe
I restore myself when I'm alone.

I restore myself when I'm alone.

Marilyn Monroe
I just want to be wonderful.

I just want to be wonderful.

Marilyn Monroe
We are all born sexual creatures,thank God, but it's a pity so many people despise and crush this natural gift.

We are all born sexual creatures,thank God, but it's a pity so many people despise and crush this natural gift.

Marilyn Monroe
It's all make believe, isn't it?

It's all make believe, isn't it?

Marilyn Monroe
Boys think girls are like books, If the cover doesn't catch their eye they won't bother to read what's inside.

Boys think girls are like books, If the cover doesn't catch their eye they won't bother to read what's inside.

Marilyn Monroe
The body is meant to be seen, not all covered up.

The body is meant to be seen, not all covered up.

Marilyn Monroe
I have feelings too. I am still human. All I want is to be loved, for myself and for my talent.

I have feelings too. I am still human. All I want is to be loved, for myself and for my talent.

Marilyn Monroe
I'm not interested in money, I just want to be wonderful.

I'm not interested in money, I just want to be wonderful.

Marilyn Monroe
I'm very definitely a woman and I enjoy it.

I'm very definitely a woman and I enjoy it.

Marilyn Monroe
What do I wear in bed? Why, Chanel No. 5, of course

What do I wear in bed? Why, Chanel No. 5, of course

Marilyn Monroe
Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul. I know, because I turned down the first offer often enough and held out for the fifty cents.

Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul. I know, because I turned down the first offer often enough and held out for the fifty cents.

Marilyn Monroe
If I play a stupid girl and ask a stupid question, I've got to follow it through, what am I supposed to do, look intelligent?

If I play a stupid girl and ask a stupid question, I've got to follow it through, what am I supposed to do, look intelligent?

Marilyn Monroe
Before marriage, a girl has to make love to a man to hold him. After marriage, she has to hold him to make love to him.

Before marriage, a girl has to make love to a man to hold him. After marriage, she has to hold him to make love to him.

Marilyn Monroe
Just because you fail once doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything.

Just because you fail once doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything.

Marilyn Monroe
I've been on a calendar, but never on time.

I've been on a calendar, but never on time.

Marilyn Monroe
I live to suceed, not to please you or anyone else.

I live to suceed, not to please you or anyone else.

Marilyn Monroe
To all the girls that think you’re fat because you’re not a size zero, you’re the beautiful one, its society who’s ugly.

To all the girls that think you’re fat because you’re not a size zero, you’re the beautiful one, its society who’s ugly.

Marilyn Monroe
I love to do the things the censors won't pass.

I love to do the things the censors won't pass.

Marilyn Monroe
I learned to walk as a baby and I haven't had a lesson since.

I learned to walk as a baby and I haven't had a lesson since.

Marilyn Monroe
I have too many fantasies to be a housewife.... I guess I am a fantasy.

I have too many fantasies to be a housewife.... I guess I am a fantasy.

Marilyn Monroe
How wrong it is for a woman to expect the man to build the world she wants, rather than to create it herself.

How wrong it is for a woman to expect the man to build the world she wants, rather than to create it herself.

Marilyn Monroe
Your clothes should be tight enough to show you're a woman but loose enough to show you're a lady

Your clothes should be tight enough to show you're a woman but loose enough to show you're a lady

Marilyn Monroe
A career is wonderful, but you can't curl up with it on a cold night

A career is wonderful, but you can't curl up with it on a cold night

Marilyn Monroe
A sex symbol becomes a thing. I hate being a thing.

A sex symbol becomes a thing. I hate being a thing.

Marilyn Monroe
Just because you fall once, doesn't mean you're fall at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always trust yourself, because if you don't then who will??

Just because you fall once, doesn't mean you're fall at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always trust yourself, because if you don't then who will??

Marilyn Monroe
I knew I belonged to the public and to the world, not because I was talented or even beautiful, but because I had never belonged to anything or anyone else.

I knew I belonged to the public and to the world, not because I was talented or even beautiful, but because I had never belonged to anything or anyone else.

Marilyn Monroe
Dreaming about being an actress, is more exciting then being one.

Dreaming about being an actress, is more exciting then being one.

Marilyn Monroe
Looking back, I guess I used to play-act all the time. For one thing, it meant I could live in a more interesting world than the one around me.

Looking back, I guess I used to play-act all the time. For one thing, it meant I could live in a more interesting world than the one around me.

Marilyn Monroe
I am invariably late for appointments - sometimes as much as two hours. I've tried to change my ways but the things that make me late are too strong, and too pleasing.

I am invariably late for appointments - sometimes as much as two hours. I've tried to change my ways but the things that make me late are too strong, and too pleasing.

Marilyn Monroe
I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go. Things go wrong so that you appreciate them when their right.

I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go. Things go wrong so that you appreciate them when their right.

Marilyn Monroe
Some people have been unkind. If I say I want to grow as an actress, they look at my figure. If I say I want to develop, to learn my craft, they laugh. Somehow they don't expect me to be serious about my work.

Some people have been unkind. If I say I want to grow as an actress, they look at my figure. If I say I want to develop, to learn my craft, they laugh. Somehow they don't expect me to be serious about my work.

Marilyn Monroe
It’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.

It’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.

Marilyn Monroe
I read poetry to save time.

I read poetry to save time.

Marilyn Monroe
A girl doesn't need anyone who doesn't need her

A girl doesn't need anyone who doesn't need her

Marilyn Monroe
When you're young and healthy you can plan on Monday to commit suicide, and by Wednesday you're laughing again.

When you're young and healthy you can plan on Monday to commit suicide, and by Wednesday you're laughing again.

Marilyn Monroe
I could never pretend something I didn't feel. I could never make love if I didn't love, and if I loved I could no more hide the fact than change the color of my eyes.

I could never pretend something I didn't feel. I could never make love if I didn't love, and if I loved I could no more hide the fact than change the color of my eyes.

Marilyn Monroe
I've often stood silent at a party for hours listening to my movie idols turn into dull and little people.

I've often stood silent at a party for hours listening to my movie idols turn into dull and little people.

Marilyn Monroe
The thing I want more than anything else? I want to have children. I used to feel for every child I had, I would adopt another.

The thing I want more than anything else? I want to have children. I used to feel for every child I had, I would adopt another.

Marilyn Monroe
That's the way you feel when you're beaten inside. You don't feel angry at those who've beaten you. You just feel ashamed.

That's the way you feel when you're beaten inside. You don't feel angry at those who've beaten you. You just feel ashamed.

Marilyn Monroe
A wise girl knows her limits, a smart girl knows that she has none.

A wise girl knows her limits, a smart girl knows that she has none.

Marilyn Monroe
No one ever told me I was pretty when I was a little girl. All little girls should be told they're pretty, even if they aren't.

No one ever told me I was pretty when I was a little girl. All little girls should be told they're pretty, even if they aren't.

Marilyn Monroe
She was a girl who knew how to be happy even when she was sad

She was a girl who knew how to be happy even when she was sad

Marilyn Monroe
Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.

Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.

Marilyn Monroe
So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.

So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.

Marilyn Monroe
The trouble with censors is that they worry if a girl has cleavage. They ought to worry if she hasn't any.

The trouble with censors is that they worry if a girl has cleavage. They ought to worry if she hasn't any.

Marilyn Monroe
Husbands are chiefly good as lovers when they are betraying their wives.

Husbands are chiefly good as lovers when they are betraying their wives.

Marilyn Monroe
Men are always ready to respect anything that bores them.

Men are always ready to respect anything that bores them.

Marilyn Monroe
Suicide, is a persons privilege. I don't believe it's a sin or a crime it's your right if you do. Though it doesn't get you anywhere.

Suicide, is a persons privilege. I don't believe it's a sin or a crime it's your right if you do. Though it doesn't get you anywhere.

Marilyn Monroe
For those who are poor in happiness, each time is a first time; happiness never becomes a habit.

For those who are poor in happiness, each time is a first time; happiness never becomes a habit.

Marilyn Monroe
A strong man doesn't have to be dominant toward a woman. He doesn't match his strength against a woman weak with love for him. He matches it against the world.

A strong man doesn't have to be dominant toward a woman. He doesn't match his strength against a woman weak with love for him. He matches it against the world.

Marilyn Monroe
There's only one sort of natural blonde on earth - albinos.

There's only one sort of natural blonde on earth - albinos.

Marilyn Monroe
You might as well make yourself fly as to make yourself love.

You might as well make yourself fly as to make yourself love.

Marilyn Monroe
I would have told her then she was the only thing that I could 
love in this dying world but the simple word

I would have told her then she was the only thing that I could love in this dying world but the simple word "love" itself already died and went away.

Marilyn Monroe
It’s better for the whole world to know you, even as a sex star, than never to be known at all.

It’s better for the whole world to know you, even as a sex star, than never to be known at all.

Marilyn Monroe
I wanted to ask a thousand questions, but there was no one to ask. Besides I knew that people only told lies to children-lies about everything from soup to Santa Claus.

I wanted to ask a thousand questions, but there was no one to ask. Besides I knew that people only told lies to children-lies about everything from soup to Santa Claus.

Marilyn Monroe
Trying to build myself up with the fact that I have done things right that were even good and have had moments that were excellent but the bad is heavier to carry around and feel have no confidence.

Trying to build myself up with the fact that I have done things right that were even good and have had moments that were excellent but the bad is heavier to carry around and feel have no confidence.

Marilyn Monroe
People had a habit of looking at me as if I were some kind of mirror instead of a person. They didn't see me, they saw their own lewd thoughts, then they white-masked themselves by calling me the lewd one.

People had a habit of looking at me as if I were some kind of mirror instead of a person. They didn't see me, they saw their own lewd thoughts, then they white-masked themselves by calling me the lewd one.

Marilyn Monroe
Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius

Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius

Marilyn Monroe
They will only care when you're gone.

They will only care when you're gone.

Marilyn Monroe
I am not a victim of emotional conflicts. I am human.

I am not a victim of emotional conflicts. I am human.

Marilyn Monroe
A friend tells you what you want to hear;a best friend tells you the truth.

A friend tells you what you want to hear;a best friend tells you the truth.

Marilyn Monroe
I don't forgive people because I'm weak, I forgive them because I am strong enough to know people make mistakes.

I don't forgive people because I'm weak, I forgive them because I am strong enough to know people make mistakes.

Marilyn Monroe
Maybe I’ll never be able to do what I hope to, but at least I have hope.

Maybe I’ll never be able to do what I hope to, but at least I have hope.

Marilyn Monroe
All girls are beautiful in their own way

All girls are beautiful in their own way

Marilyn Monroe
I lay in bed at night crying to myself. The only one who loved me and watched over me was someone I couldn't see or hear or touch.

I lay in bed at night crying to myself. The only one who loved me and watched over me was someone I couldn't see or hear or touch.

Marilyn Monroe
Try to enjoy myself when I can - I'll be miserable enough as it is.

Try to enjoy myself when I can - I'll be miserable enough as it is.

Marilyn Monroe