Mae West was a legendary actress, singer, and playwright who spent seven decades in the spotlight. To dive into her unique perspective, check out the Mae West quotes below.
What do you know about Mae West?
Her professional career began as a Vaudeville performer at age 14. She spent years as a Vaudeville performer and then moved onto Broadway, participating in plays throughout the 1910s to the early 1930s.
In 1932, she landed her first role in a feature film: Paramount Pictures’ Night After Night. Throughout her long-term career, she acted in 12 different films. West was also a popular rock n’ roll singer as well as an established playwright.
Want to learn more about the life of Mae West? Read the quotes below.
Don’t forget to also check out these Jhene Aiko quotes on creativity, self care and more.
Powerful Mae West quotes
1. “I believe that it’s better to be looked over than it is to be overlooked.” – Mae West
2. “Those who are easily shocked should be shocked more often.” ― Mae West
3. “He who hesitates is a damned fool.” – Mae West
4. “Personality is the glitter that sends your little gleam across the footlights and the orchestra pit into that big black space where the audience is.” – Mae West
5. “It ain’t no sin if you crack a few laws now and then, just so long as you don’t break any.” – Mae West
6. “Love thy neighbor – and if he happens to be tall, debonair and devastating, it will be that much easier.” – Mae West
7. “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” ― Mae West
8. “Virtue has its own reward, but no sale at the box office.” – Mae West
9. “Keep a diary, and someday it’ll keep you.” – Mae West
10. “Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly.” – Mae West
11. “You are never too old to become younger!” ― Mae West
12. “Everyone has the right to run his own life- even if you’re heading for a crash. What I’m against is blind flying.” ― Mae West
13. “Cultivate your curves – they may be dangerous but they won’t be avoided.” – Mae West
Relatable Mae West quotes
14. “I generally avoid temptation unless I can’t resist it.” – Mae West
15. “To err is human, but it feels divine.” – Mae West
16. “Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.” – Mae West
17. “I’m no model lady. A model’s just an imitation of the real thing.” ― Mae West
18. “I’ll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure.” ― Mae West
19. “Too much of a good thing can be wonderful.” – Mae West
20. “I only have ‘yes’ men around me. Who needs ‘no’ men?” – Mae West
21. “I never loved another person the way I loved myself.” – Mae West
22. “It’s hard to be funny when you have to be clean.” – Mae West
23. “I only read biographies, metaphysics and psychology. I can dream up my own fiction.” ― Mae West
24. “I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond.” – Mae West
25. “The score never interested me, only the game.” – Mae West
26. “I speak two languages, Body and English.” – Mae West
27. “When I’m good I’m very, very good, but when I’m bad, I’m better.” – Mae West
28. “Every man I meet wants to protect me. I can’t figure out what from.” – Mae West
Mae West quotes on men and women
29. “A man can be short and dumpy and getting bald but if he has fire, women will like him.” – Mae West
30. “A hard man is good to find.” – Mae West
31. “When women go wrong, men go right after them.” – Mae West
32. “Ladies who play with fire must remember that smoke gets in their eyes.” ― Mae West
33. “Good girls go to heaven, bad girls go everywhere.” ― Mae West
34. “A dame that knows the ropes isn’t likely to get tied up.” ― Mae West
35. “Don’t keep a man guessing too long – he’s sure to find the answer somewhere else.” – Mae West
36. “I’ve no time for broads who want to rule the world alone. Without men, who’d do up the zipper on the back of your dress? ” ― Mae West
37. “I have found men who didn’t know how to kiss. I’ve always found time to teach them.” ― Mae West
38. “Women like a man with a past, but they prefer a man with a present.” ― Mae West
39. “Men are my hobby, if I ever got married I’d have to give it up.” ― Mae West
40. “Women with pasts interest men because they hope history will repeat itself.” ― Mae West
Mae West quotes on love and dating
41. “Love isn’t an emotion or an instinct – it’s an art.” – Mae West
42. “Don’t cry for a man who’s left you–the next one may fall for your smile.” ― Mae West
43. “Save a boyfriend for a rainy day – and another, in case it doesn’t rain.” – Mae West
44. “Look your best – who said love is blind?” – Mae West
45. “Getting married is like trading in the adoration of many for the sarcasm of one.” ― Mae West
46. “A woman in love can’t be reasonable – or she probably wouldn’t be in love.” – Mae West
47. “All discarded lovers should be given a second chance, but with somebody else.” – Mae West
48. “Marriage is a fine institution, but I’m not ready for an institution.” – Mae West
49. “I’m single because I was born that way.” – Mae West
50. “Love conquers all things except poverty and toothache.” – Mae West
Have you ever struggled to censor yourself?
Mae West often dealt with censorship throughout her professional career from the film industry. As an actress and playwright, she was well-known for her edgy and sexually suggested dialogue. Her most distinguishable factors were heavily censored by The Motion Picture Production Code. With the Production Code constantly disrupting her vision, West became so frustrated that she took a 27-year break from the film industry.
The concept of censorship is still a frequent discussion throughout our society, especially surrounding free speech. Despite who may be trying to censor you, we’re here to remind you that your ideas are valuable and your voice matters.
Which of these Mae West quotes and sayings? Who should we feature next on Everyday Power? Tell us your thoughts below!
