Top 10 Marilyn Monroe Quotes That Still Inspire Us Today
#10: “Sometimes you just have to throw on a crown and remind them who they’re dealing with.”
Being a woman in Hollywood has never been easy, which is something Marilyn knew quite well. This star understood her worth and made sure everyone around her was fully aware of it too. You don’t need to be a Hollywood icon to follow her advice as it pretty much rings true for every aspect of life. Whether it’s work, relationships or you just need a bit of a self-confidence boost, throw on that crown and stand tall so everyone can see it. You are the prize and don’t let them forget it; Marilyn certainly wouldn’t.
#9: “Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.”
What makes this world a fascinating place to live in is that everyone is different and brings something unique to the table. As someone who was constantly in the public eye, Marilyn knew the pressures of trying to fit a mold created by society, but she refused to bow to the pressure. We are all guilty of comparing ourselves to other people, especially in the age of social media, and sometimes we can forget to celebrate what makes us so great. When the cameras stopped rolling, Marilyn was true to herself, an admirable quality that we should strive to internalise.
#8: “How wrong it is for a woman to expect the man to build the world she wants, rather than to create it herself.”
In other words, go break those glass ceilings, ladies. You might argue that Marilyn lived in an even more male-dominated era than we do today but that doesn’t mean she let them have control. When she wanted to shed her sex symbol image, she went for more serious roles, when Joe DiMaggio disagreed with the direction that she was taking her career, she left him. If you want something, go after it. If you want to see a change, make it happen. Don’t wait for things to just materialize; it’s up to you to build the world you want to see.
#7: “We are all stars, but we must learn how to shine.”
Marilyn had her lucky break when she was discovered by a photographer and the world was introduced to a new star. But you don’t have to dream of life under the spotlight for the sentiment of this message to still apply. Many of us, especially women, hold back out of fear of being perceived as bossy, aggressive or difficult. However, in exchange for repressing who we really are, we also dim the qualities that make us sparkle the most. While you may know what makes you shine the brightest, it’s time to share it with the world.
#6: “Always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don’t, then who will, sweetie?”
In order to throw on that crown we talked about earlier, first you have to believe that you are worthy of it. And don’t be afraid of taking up some space in this world - Marilyn definitely wouldn’t. You get back what you put out there, so whether it’s a job interview, that promotion you know you’d be perfect for or pretty much anything else, if you don’t believe in yourself, why should anyone else? Stand tall and proud: show the world that you believe in yourself, and the rest will follow!.
#5: “Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius, and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”
While Marilyn might be known as a pinup icon, you don’t need to delve too far into her biography to know she was far from perfect. Nevertheless, the fact that her legacy still lives on today speaks volumes for the kind of person she was. During her time, Marilyn was someone women aspired to look like and men wanted to be with, yet she celebrated the quirkier parts of life. Afterall, it’s people’s differences and individuality that usually make them fascinating and help add a little color to this world.
#4: “Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”
Hollywood can be such a fickle industry, so we imagine anyone in that world clings onto this optimism. However, in Marylin’s life, she faced many uncertainties so it’s inspiring to know that she always focused on what could be right around the corner. We’ve all felt that heartbreak when something doesn’t go how we’d hope and we’re left feeling dejected. However, we must remind ourselves that while things might feel a bit rubbish in that moment, it just makes room in your life for something even more amazing to come your way.
#3: “We should all start to live before we get too old.”
One of the greatest vices humanity has developed is our ability to procrastinate. As you get older and find yourself with more responsibilities, it’s easy to let life pass you by and you forget to try to realise your dreams. Marilyn had such a fascinating life, which was tragically cut short when she was found dead, aged 36. In that brief time, she achieved so much and left such an extraordinary legacy that it remains just as unforgettable today. While you have the chance, you should pursue your dreams and live your life to the fullest so that when you’re old, you can look back and smile.
#2: “A wise girl knows her limits; a smart girl knows that she has none.”
You might say that Marilyn was quite ahead of her time in encouraging girls and women to smash those glass ceilings. She pursued her goals, fought for her dreams and was never afraid to speak her mind. She exemplifies what you can achieve when you defy the status quo and show that you can keep up with the best of them, if not better. Marilyn joins a long list of strong, empowering women who encourage future generations to keep fighting for equality and to never underestimate their capabilities.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“It’s better to be unhappy alone than unhappy with someone - so far.”
We Should All Heed Marilyn’s Advice
“Keep smiling, because life is a beautiful thing and there’s so much to smile about.”
You Know What They Say: When You Smile, the Whole World Smiles with You.
“I live to succeed, not to please you or anyone else.”
The Only Person You Need to Answer to Is Yourself
“Fear is stupid. So are regrets.”
Don’t Waste Your Time on “What Ifs”; Who’s Got the Time?
“If I’d observed all the rules, I’d never got anywhere.”
Sometimes You Have to Rewrite the Rules to Get Ahead
#1: “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.”
Yes, no one’s perfect, but if someone doesn’t accept you for your flaws, then you probably don’t need them in your life. A true friend, partner or even relative is someone who will stick around no matter what, and anyone else just isn’t worth your time. Life isn’t always easy, so if they’re not by your side for the hard times, feel free to show them the door. Marilyn knew her self-worth and would never settle for less, so why should we?
