Marilyn Monroe

Hollywood icon

Modern influential 139 sayings

Sayings by Marilyn Monroe

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

1962 — Interview with George Barris, 1962
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I restore myself when I'm alone.

1962 — Life Magazine interview, 1962
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

Unknown — Attributed, often cited in biographies
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

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

Unknown — Attributed, often cited in biographies and collections of quotes
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I want to be an artist, not a sex legend.

1954 — Interview, possibly with Ben Hecht, c. 1954
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

Unknown — Attributed, frequently quoted in biographies
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I’ve never fooled anyone. I’ve let people fool themselves. They didn’t bother to find out who and what I was. Instead, they would invent a character for me. I wouldn’t argue with them. They were obviously loving somebody I wasn’t.

1962 — Interview with Richard Meryman, Life Magazine, 1962
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The truth is I've never fooled anyone. I've let men fool themselves.

Unknown — Alternative version of the above quote, also attributed
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Dogs never bite me. Just humans.

Unknown — Attributed, frequently quoted
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I love to do things that are a little bit naughty.

Unknown — Attributed, often cited in discussions of her persona
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

Unknown — Attributed, frequently quoted
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

If I'm a star, the people made me a star.

Unknown — Interview, often cited in discussions of her connection with fans
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

Unknown — Interview, often cited in discussions of her femininity
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

It’s all make believe, isn’t it?

Unknown — Attributed, often in reference to Hollywood or life in general
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

Unknown — Attributed, often cited in biographies
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

When you're famous you kind of lose your anonymity.

Unknown — Interview, often cited in discussions of her fame
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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.

1954 — My Story (ghostwritten autobiography)
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I never had a mother. I never had a sister. I never had a friend. I had to learn everything by myself.

Unknown — Attributed, often in discussions of her childhood
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I used to get so lonely that I'd just walk out of the house and go to a party. I didn't care who it was. I just wanted to be around people.

Unknown — Attributed, often in discussions of her loneliness
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I guess I am a little bit of a romantic. I like to believe in things that aren't real.

Unknown — Attributed, often in discussions of her idealism
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable