--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I had a martyr complex as a child. I…" description: "\"I had a martyr complex as a child. I longed to attend the parties my classmates gave. But I was a minister's daughter. I couldn't stay out after 9:30 a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/agnes-moorehead-9420_children_i-had-a-martyr-complex-as-a-child-i-long_1680507.png" --- # I had a martyr complex as a child. I longed to attend the… ![“I had a martyr complex as a child. I longed to attend the parties my classmates gave. But I was a minister's daughter. I couldn't stay out after 9:30 at night til I went to college. I never went to a dance till I was grown up and -away from home.” quote by Agnes Moorehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/agnes-moorehead-9420_children_i-had-a-martyr-complex-as-a-child-i-long_1680507.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/agnes-moorehead-9420_children_i-had-a-martyr-complex-as-a-child-i-long_1680507.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/agnes-moorehead-9420_children_i-had-a-martyr-complex-as-a-child-i-long_1680507.png) > “I had a martyr complex as a child. I longed to attend the parties my classmates gave. But I was a minister's daughter. I couldn't stay out after 9:30 at night til I went to college. I never went to a dance till I was grown up and -away from home.” [Agnes Moorehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-moorehead/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker felt constrained by expectations and missed typical teenage experiences, leading to a sense of unfulfilled longing. **In simple terms:** Childhood restrictions caused missed social events. Key Takeaway Recognize how early constraints shape desires. Themes restriction longing social norms identity family expectations Mood reflective nostalgic Type personal narrative confessional When to use this quote - reflecting on missed teenage events - understanding family influence - seeking adult social fulfillment Key Concepts psychology social conformity personal development Questions to Reflect On - How have early restrictions shaped your adult choices? - What steps can you take now to fulfill missed experiences? A Different Perspective Childhood constraints may limit personal growth and cause lingering regret. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Daughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daughter/) [Home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home/) [Martyr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/martyr/) [Night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/night/) ## Related quotes > [I had this inferiority complex as a child, as I was not good at speaking. I was also not good in studies or sports…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suriya/i-had-this-inferiority-complex-as-a-child-as-i-was-not-good-at/) [Suriya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suriya/) > [I don't attend parties or filmy events.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rimi-sen/i-don-t-attend-parties-or-filmy-events/) [Rimi Sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rimi-sen/) > [I don't attend parties and don't throw any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dharmendra/i-don-t-attend-parties-and-don-t-throw-any/) [Dharmendra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dharmendra/) > [I don't attend parties. After the day's shoot, I go home and spend time with my family. I never take my work home, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-teja/i-don-t-attend-parties-after-the-day-s-shoot-i-go-home-and-spend-time/) [Ravi Teja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-teja/) > [a lady could do, so I was told, just about nothing that she might want to do except attend all parties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evalyn-walsh-mclean/a-lady-could-do-so-i-was-told-just-about-nothing-that-she-might-want/) [Evalyn Walsh McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evalyn-walsh-mclean/) > [People don't really know, but I went to Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skai-jackson/people-don-t-really-know-but-i-went-to-dance-theatre-of-harlem-in-new/) [Skai Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skai-jackson/) > [Most people went to dance shows, but it was basically a table and a DJ playing and not really a spectacular thing. I brought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiesto/most-people-went-to-dance-shows-but-it-was-basically-a-table-and-a-dj/) [Tiesto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiesto/) > [I went to dance class as a girl because I didn't like sports, but I never did a dance recital in my life. Never,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-grey/i-went-to-dance-class-as-a-girl-because-i-didn-t-like-sports-but-i/) [Jennifer Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-grey/) > [I used to make fun of the kids in school who acted or went to dance class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-dillon/i-used-to-make-fun-of-the-kids-in-school-who-acted-or-went-to-dance/) [Matt Dillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-dillon/) > [I was very happy that I was as normal as possible before I went into serious dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-farrell/i-was-very-happy-that-i-was-as-normal-as-possible-before-i-went-into/) [Suzanne Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-farrell/) > [I went to this dance with some of my friends and there were kids saying 'I know who you are - you're Aaron Carter!'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-mccartney/i-went-to-this-dance-with-some-of-my-friends-and-there-were-kids/) [Jesse McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-mccartney/) > [Hippie said he couldn't stay. Be back tomorrow -Love,Mom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mcmann/hippie-said-he-couldn-t-stay-be-back-tomorrow-love-mom/) [Lisa McMann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mcmann/) > [But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it. I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded That for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-i-couldn-t-stay-away-i-couldn-t-fight-it-i-had-hoped-you-d-see-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I kept my eyes closed until I felt my resolve to be who I wanted to be come back. I couldn’t stay this desperate.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-bina/i-kept-my-eyes-closed-until-i-felt-my-resolve-to-be-who-i-wanted-to/) [Natalie Bina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-bina/) > [I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited. But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it. I had hoped you'd see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adele/i-hate-to-turn-up-out-of-the-blue-uninvited-but-i-couldn-t-stay-away/) [Adele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adele/) ## More by Agnes Moorehead > [Drama is not great when it's a roll off the curb into the gutter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-moorehead/drama-is-not-great-when-it-s-a-roll-off-the-curb-into-the-gutter/) [Agnes Moorehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-moorehead/) > [Witches are a cold breed who keep unto themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-moorehead/witches-are-a-cold-breed-who-keep-unto-themselves/) [Agnes Moorehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-moorehead/) > [To me, witches are the most divine creatures. I always thought of them not as old crones with double chins and dunce hats, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-moorehead/to-me-witches-are-the-most-divine-creatures-i-always-thought-of-them/) [Agnes Moorehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-moorehead/) > [I would rather have people say let's see more of her than she's too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-moorehead/i-would-rather-have-people-say-let-s-see-more-of-her-than-she-s-too/) [Agnes Moorehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-moorehead/) > [A child is born with a degree of primitive savagery and somebody must discipline it out of him. This Is where the government of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-moorehead/a-child-is-born-with-a-degree-of-primitive-savagery-and-somebody-must/) [Agnes Moorehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-moorehead/) > [I have been playing old women ever since I can remember.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-moorehead/i-have-been-playing-old-women-ever-since-i-can-remember/) [Agnes Moorehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-moorehead/) > [It stands to reason that a person can't put forth his best effort if he's unhappy or if in the back of his mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-moorehead/it-stands-to-reason-that-a-person-can-t-put-forth-his-best-effort-if/) [Agnes Moorehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-moorehead/) > [I've played so many mean-looking troublemakers I have to keep reminding myself I'm really not a bad person deep down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-moorehead/i-ve-played-so-many-mean-looking-troublemakers-i-have-to-keep/) [Agnes Moorehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-moorehead/) > [Actors should remember they are public servants, really, and depend on the response of the people. And the public can be so fickle. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-moorehead/actors-should-remember-they-are-public-servants-really-and-depend-on/) [Agnes Moorehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-moorehead/) > [A child likes discipline. He likes to know somebody cares.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-moorehead/a-child-likes-discipline-he-likes-to-know-somebody-cares/) [Agnes Moorehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-moorehead/) > [You cannot duplicate Marion Lome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-moorehead/you-cannot-duplicate-marion-lome/) [Agnes Moorehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-moorehead/) > [The older I grow, the more I realize that the trivialities that used to frustrate one when you were younger... they don't mean anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-moorehead/the-older-i-grow-the-more-i-realize-that-the-trivialities-that-used/) [Agnes Moorehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-moorehead/) > [I've played all through the Middle East. The Arabs never say what they mean. They say what they think you want to hear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-moorehead/i-ve-played-all-through-the-middle-east-the-arabs-never-say-what-they/) [Agnes Moorehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-moorehead/) > [I inherited the voice from my father, who was a minister. He taught me to speak clearly from babyhood, and probably it was my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-moorehead/i-inherited-the-voice-from-my-father-who-was-a-minister-he-taught-me/) [Agnes Moorehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-moorehead/) > [You know, many actors when they get older are afraid to be around young people, but I welcome their views.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-moorehead/you-know-many-actors-when-they-get-older-are-afraid-to-be-around/) [Agnes Moorehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-moorehead/) [Explore all 73 Agnes Moorehead quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-moorehead/) ## More Children quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [I believe in freedom to do what you want if you aren't hurting others, but pictures of obese protesters giving their children big gulps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-believe-in-freedom-to-do-what-you-want-if-you-aren-t-hurting-others/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [It doesnt seem to me strange that children should like the macabre, the sensational, and the forbidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hecht/it-doesnt-seem-to-me-strange-that-children-should-like-the-macabre/) [Anthony Hecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hecht/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [My embarrassing confession is that my father is a 'Camelot: The Musical' obsessive. So as a child, when we were going to visit relatives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-chibnall/my-embarrassing-confession-is-that-my-father-is-a-camelot-the-musical/) [Chris Chibnall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-chibnall/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [My school was one of the most beautiful places a child can grow up in. You are surrounded by nature - cats, dogs, birds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/my-school-was-one-of-the-most-beautiful-places-a-child-can-grow-up-in/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) > [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [As a child, I had a lot of older gay men taking care of me. There's a trust there. I feel like little girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cho/as-a-child-i-had-a-lot-of-older-gay-men-taking-care-of-me-there-s-a/) [Margaret Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cho/) > [If my child had prejudice in his head, I'd be ashamed. I would see it as my failure as a parent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/if-my-child-had-prejudice-in-his-head-i-d-be-ashamed-i-would-see-it/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [“Children's lives are always beginning and adults' lives are always ending. Or is it the opposite? Your childhood is always ending and your adult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-espach/children-s-lives-are-always-beginning-and-adults-lives-are-always/) [Alison Espach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-espach/) > [As a child I was very involved with sports and I knew at age 9 that I wanted to be an Olympic champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-jones/as-a-child-i-was-very-involved-with-sports-and-i-knew-at-age-9-that-i/) [Marion Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-jones/) [Browse all 62,396 Children quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I had a martyr complex as a child. I longed to attend the parties my classmates gave. But I was a minister's daughter. I couldn't stay out after 9:30 at night til I went to college. I never went to a dance till I was grown up and -away from home.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Agnes Moorehead" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-moorehead/i-had-a-martyr-complex-as-a-child-i-longed-to-attend-the-parties-my/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Children" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-moorehead/i-had-a-martyr-complex-as-a-child-i-longed-to-attend-the-parties-my/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/agnes-moorehead-9420_children_i-had-a-martyr-complex-as-a-child-i-long_1680507.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/agnes-moorehead-9420_children_i-had-a-martyr-complex-as-a-child-i-long_1680507.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/agnes-moorehead-9420_children_i-had-a-martyr-complex-as-a-child-i-long_1680507.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I had a martyr complex as a child. I longed to attend the parties my classmates gave. But I was a minister's…” — Agnes Moorehead", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Agnes Moorehead", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-moorehead/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I had a martyr complex as...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-moorehead/i-had-a-martyr-complex-as-a-child-i-longed-to-attend-the-parties-my/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-moorehead/i-had-a-martyr-complex-as-a-child-i-longed-to-attend-the-parties-my/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```