Marilyn Monroe was one of the most iconic sex symbols of all time. She was the beloved actress who stunned in films like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend. And, of course, who could ever forget that white dress?!
But growing up as Norma Jeane, her life was not so glamorous. Perhaps that’s how she has so many inspiring quotes about love, being a woman, and never giving up.
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I’m selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I’m 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
If you can make a girl laugh, you can make her do anything. Marilyn Monroe
I’m very definitely a woman and I enjoy it. Marilyn Monroe
Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring. Marilyn Monroe
The real lover is the man who can thrill you by just touching your head or smiling into your eyes – or just staring into space. Marilyn Monroe
A girl doesn’t need anyone who doesn’t need her. Marilyn Monroe
A wise girl kisses but doesn’t love, listens but doesn’t believe, and leaves before she is left. 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 they’re right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together. Marilyn Monroe
I don’t mind living in a man’s world as long as I can be a woman in it. Marilyn Monroe
A girl knows her limits but a wise one knows she has none. Marilyn Monroe
I was never used to being happy, so that wasn’t something I ever took for granted. Marilyn Monroe
Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are. Marilyn Monroe
All a girl really wants is for one guy to prove to her that they are not all the same. Marilyn Monroe
If you’re gonna be two-faced at least make one of them pretty. Marilyn Monroe
Keep smiling, because life is a beautiful thing and there’s so much to smile about. Marilyn Monroe
Beneath the makeup and behind the smile I am just a girl who wishes for the world. Marilyn Monroe
We should all start to live before we get too old. Marilyn Monroe
The body is meant to be seen, not all covered up. Marilyn Monroe
Who said nights were for sleep? Marilyn Monroe
I don’t know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot. Marilyn Monroe
It’s not true I had nothing on, I had the radio on. Marilyn Monroe
Ever notice how ‘What the hell’ is always the right answer? Marilyn Monroe
I am just a small girl in a big world trying to find someone to love. Marilyn Monroe
To all the girls that think they’re ugly because you’re not a size zero, you’re the beautiful one. It’s society who’s ugly. Marilyn Monroe
I am trying to find myself. Sometimes that’s not easy. Marilyn Monroe
Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition. Marilyn Monroe
Fear is stupid. So are regrets. Marilyn Monroe
Men are climbing to the moon, but they don’t seem interested in the beating human heart. Marilyn Monroe
Creativity has got to start with humanity. Marilyn Monroe
I read poetry to save time. Marilyn Monroe
I don’t stop when I’m tired. I only stop when I’m done. Marilyn Monroe
She was a girl who knew how to be happy even when she was sad. And that’s important—you know. Marilyn Monroe
Anything’s possible, almost. 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. Marilyn Monroe
I am good, but not an angel. I do sin, but I am not the devil. Marilyn Monroe
The nicest thing for me is sleep, then at least I can dream. Marilyn Monroe
What do I wear in bed? Why, Chanel No. 5, of course. Marilyn Monroe
You never know what life is like, until you have lived it. Marilyn Monroe
All little girls should be told they’re pretty, even if they aren’t. Marilyn Monroe
This life is what you make it. No matter what, you’re going to mess up sometimes, it’s a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you’re going to mess it up. Marilyn Monroe
A career is wonderful, but you can’t curl up with it on a cold night. 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. Marilyn Monroe
I think that sexuality is only attractive when it’s natural and spontaneous. Marilyn Monroe
It’s better to be unhappy alone than unhappy with someone. Marilyn Monroe
Do people ever get over being shy? I think it’s with you for life—like the color of your eyes. Marilyn Monroe
If I’d observed all the rules I’d never have got anywhere. Marilyn Monroe
Your clothes should be tight enough to show you’re a woman, but loose enough to show you’re a lady. Marilyn Monroe
I don’t want to make money, I just want to be wonderful. Marilyn Monroe
Just because you fail once, doesn’t mean you’re gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don’t, then who will? Marilyn Monroe
It’s all make believe, isn’t it? Marilyn Monroe
I don’t mind making jokes, but I don’t want to look like one. Marilyn Monroe
Sex is a part of nature. I go along with nature. 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. Marilyn Monroe
People had a habit of looking at me as if I were some kind of mirror instead of a person. Marilyn Monroe
I’ve been on a calendar, but never on time. Marilyn Monroe
We are all born sexual creatures, thank God, but it’s a pity so many people despise and crush this natural gift. Marilyn Monroe
Hollywood is a place where they’ll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul. Marilyn Monroe
It might be a kind of relief to be finished. You have to start all over again. But I believe you’re always as good as your potential. I now live in my work and in a few relationships with the few people I can really count on. Fame will go by, and, so long, I’ve had you fame. If it goes by, I’ve always known it was fickle. So at least it’s something I experienced, but that’s not where I live. Marilyn Monroe