“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.”
- June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962
- American
- Actress, Singer, Model, Pop Culture Icon
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Quote
“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.”
Explanation
In this candid and self-aware quote, Marilyn Monroe admits to a personal flaw—chronic lateness—but frames it in a way that suggests a deeper emotional or psychological struggle. Her confession isn’t just about being tardy; it hints at an inner world filled with distractions, longings, or comforts that pull her away from obligation. The phrase “too strong, and too pleasing” implies that what delays her isn’t carelessness but the seductive power of personal rituals, thoughts, or escapes.
Monroe was known for being difficult to schedule or manage on film sets, a trait often attributed to unprofessionalism. But this quote adds nuance: her lateness may have stemmed from emotional resistance, anxiety, or a deep need for moments of private indulgence, especially in a life governed by constant control and public scrutiny. It’s a gentle, even poetic, defense of her imperfection—acknowledging the behavior without excusing it, and revealing the very human conflict between duty and desire.
In a modern context, many can relate to Monroe’s dilemma: the tension between structure and spontaneity, between being reliable and being true to oneself. Her words speak to the universal challenge of balancing personal freedom with external expectations. Rather than simply a flaw, her lateness becomes a metaphor for the struggle to preserve identity and pleasure in a demanding world.
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