Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

78 Great Quotes By Mae West, Hollywood’s Wittiest Sex Goddess

Famous As: Actress, Screenwriter, Singer
Born On: August 17, 1893
Died On: November 22, 1980
Born In: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died At Age: 87
Mary Jane West, popularly known as Mae West, was an American singer, playwright, screenwriter, actress and comedian who went on to become a glamour icon and remains one of the most talked about Hollywood personalities to this day. She had shown a special gift towards the performing arts right from the time that she was a child. West emerged as a big star in the vaudeville circuit and was particularly famous for her wit which was often spiced with a lot of double entendres. Her wit made her a hugely popular star in depression-era audience but at the same time it proved to be controversial and also attracted calls for censorship from certain quarters. West had a career that lasted for around 70 years during the course of which she became a Hollywood star as well as a writer for various radio and television shows. Her contributions to American cinema were recognized by the American Film Institute when she was included in the list of the greatest female stars in American cinema. West is considered to be the wittiest sex goddess and forthright women of her era. Many things she said or wrote have become quite famous as her quotes and thoughts and are quoted extensively. Her thoughts and quotations tackled the most serious and sensitive topics in the wittiest way. Here is a treasure trove of great quotes from Mae West’s life and work.
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.

Mae West
There are no good girls gone wrong - just bad girls found out.

There are no good girls gone wrong - just bad girls found out.

Mae West
I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it.

I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it.

Mae West
Every man I meet wants to protect me. I can't figure out what from.

Every man I meet wants to protect me. I can't figure out what from.

Mae West
I wrote the story myself. It's about a girl who lost her reputation and never missed it.

I wrote the story myself. It's about a girl who lost her reputation and never missed it.

Mae West
Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.

Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.

Mae West
When I'm good, I'm very good, but when I'm bad, I'm better.

When I'm good, I'm very good, but when I'm bad, I'm better.

Mae West
I'll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure.

I'll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure.

Mae West
I'm single because I was born that way.

I'm single because I was born that way.

Mae West
I'm no model lady. A model's just an imitation of the real thing.

I'm no model lady. A model's just an imitation of the real thing.

Mae West
Ladies who play with fire must remember that smoke gets in their eyes.

Ladies who play with fire must remember that smoke gets in their eyes.

Mae West
Don't cry for a man who's left you--the next one may fall for your smile.

Don't cry for a man who's left you--the next one may fall for your smile.

Mae West
A dame that knows the ropes isn't likely to get tied up.

A dame that knows the ropes isn't likely to get tied up.

Mae West
It's not the men in your life that matters, it's the life in your men.

It's not the men in your life that matters, it's the life in your men.

Mae West
Marriage is a fine institution, but I'm not ready for an institution.

Marriage is a fine institution, but I'm not ready for an institution.

Mae West
All discarded lovers should be given a second chance, but with somebody else.

All discarded lovers should be given a second chance, but with somebody else.

Mae West
Sex is an emotion in motion.

Sex is an emotion in motion.

Mae West
Cultivate your curves - they may be dangerous but they won't be avoided.

Cultivate your curves - they may be dangerous but they won't be avoided.

Mae West
Those who are easily shocked should be shocked more often.

Those who are easily shocked should be shocked more often.

Mae West
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond.

I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond.

Mae West
Too much of a good thing can be wonderful!

Too much of a good thing can be wonderful!

Mae West
It is better to be looked over than overlooked.

It is better to be looked over than overlooked.

Mae West
I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.

I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.

Mae West
Don't keep a man guessing too long - he's sure to find the answer somewhere else

Don't keep a man guessing too long - he's sure to find the answer somewhere else

Mae West
Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly.

Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly.

Mae West
Women like a man with a past, but they prefer a man with a present.

Women like a man with a past, but they prefer a man with a present.

Mae West
Love thy neighbor -- and if he happens to be tall, debonair and devastating, it will be that much easier.

Love thy neighbor -- and if he happens to be tall, debonair and devastating, it will be that much easier.

Mae West
You are never too old to become younger!

You are never too old to become younger!

Mae West
Look your best - who said love is blind?

Look your best - who said love is blind?

Mae West
His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork.

His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork.

Mae West
A woman in love can't be reasonable--or she probably wouldn't be in love.

A woman in love can't be reasonable--or she probably wouldn't be in love.

Mae West
Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?

Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?

Mae West
To err is human - but it feels divine.

To err is human - but it feels divine.

Mae West
I have found men who didn't know how to kiss. I've always found time to teach them.

I have found men who didn't know how to kiss. I've always found time to teach them.

Mae West
Good women are no fun... The only good woman I can recall in history was Betsy Ross. And all she ever made was a flag.

Good women are no fun... The only good woman I can recall in history was Betsy Ross. And all she ever made was a flag.

Mae West
Men are my hobby, if I ever got married I'd have to give it up.

Men are my hobby, if I ever got married I'd have to give it up.

Mae West
The curve is more powerful than the sword.

The curve is more powerful than the sword.

Mae West
Love conquers all things except poverty and toothache.

Love conquers all things except poverty and toothache.

Mae West
Getting married is like trading in the adoration of many for the sarcasm of one.

Getting married is like trading in the adoration of many for the sarcasm of one.

Mae West
When women go wrong, men go right after them.

When women go wrong, men go right after them.

Mae West
I never loved another person the way I loved myself.

I never loved another person the way I loved myself.

Mae West
Keep a diary and one day it'll keep you.

Keep a diary and one day it'll keep you.

Mae West
JUDGE: Are you trying to show contempt for this court?

MAE WEST: I was doin' my best to hide it.

JUDGE: Are you trying to show contempt for this court? MAE WEST: I was doin' my best to hide it.

Mae West
I've been things and seen places.

I've been things and seen places.

Mae West
The score never interested me, only the game.

The score never interested me, only the game.

Mae West
She's the kind of girl who climbed the ladder of success wrong by wrong.

She's the kind of girl who climbed the ladder of success wrong by wrong.

Mae West
Women with pasts interest men because they hope history will repeat itself.

Women with pasts interest men because they hope history will repeat itself.

Mae West
I only read biographies, metaphysics and psychology. I can dream up my own fiction.

I only read biographies, metaphysics and psychology. I can dream up my own fiction.

Mae West
I'm a woman of very few words, but lots of action.

I'm a woman of very few words, but lots of action.

Mae West
An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises.

An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises.

Mae West
Everyone has the right to run his own life- even if you're heading for a crash. What I'm against is blind flying.

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
A man’s kiss is his signature.

A man’s kiss is his signature.

Mae West
Love isn't an emotion or an instinct - it's an art.

Love isn't an emotion or an instinct - it's an art.

Mae West
No one can have everything, so you have to try for what you want most.

No one can have everything, so you have to try for what you want most.

Mae West
I see you're a man with ideals. I better be going before you've still got them.

I see you're a man with ideals. I better be going before you've still got them.

Mae West
I've been in more laps than a napkin.

I've been in more laps than a napkin.

Mae West
It's all right for a perfect stranger to kiss your hand as long as he's perfect.

It's all right for a perfect stranger to kiss your hand as long as he's perfect.

Mae West
Don't marry a man to reform him - that's what reform schools are for.

Don't marry a man to reform him - that's what reform schools are for.

Mae West
The best way to hold a man is in your arms.

The best way to hold a man is in your arms.

Mae West
You may admire a girl's curves on the first introduction, but the second meeting shows up new angles.

You may admire a girl's curves on the first introduction, but the second meeting shows up new angles.

Mae West
It isn't what I do, but how I do it. It isn't what I say, but how I say it, and how I look when I do it and say it.

It isn't what I do, but how I do it. It isn't what I say, but how I say it, and how I look when I do it and say it.

Mae West
Goodness, what beautiful diamonds!' 'Goodness had nothing to do with it'.

Goodness, what beautiful diamonds!' 'Goodness had nothing to do with it'.

Mae West
I didn't discover curves; I only uncovered them.

I didn't discover curves; I only uncovered them.

Mae West
A hard man is good to find.

A hard man is good to find.

Mae West
Ten men waiting for me at the door? Send one of them home, I'm tired.

Ten men waiting for me at the door? Send one of them home, I'm tired.

Mae West
Goodness had nothing to do with it.

Goodness had nothing to do with it.

Mae West
Men are all alike - except the one you've met who's different.

Men are all alike - except the one you've met who's different.

Mae West
I only like two kinds of men, domestic and imported.

I only like two kinds of men, domestic and imported.

Mae West
You can do what you want, but saving love doesn't bring any interest.

You can do what you want, but saving love doesn't bring any interest.

Mae West
A man in the house is worth two on the street.

A man in the house is worth two on the street.

Mae West
Woman: You certainly know the way to a man's heart. 
Mae West: Funny, too, 'cause I don't know how to cook.

Woman: You certainly know the way to a man's heart. Mae West: Funny, too, 'cause I don't know how to cook.

Mae West
Brains are an asset, if you hide them.

Brains are an asset, if you hide them.

Mae West
When in doubt, take a bath...

When in doubt, take a bath...

Mae West
A me piacciono solo due tipi di uomini: gli stranieri e quelli del mio Paese.

A me piacciono solo due tipi di uomini: gli stranieri e quelli del mio Paese.

Mae West
What's the good of resisting temptation? There'll always be more.

What's the good of resisting temptation? There'll always be more.

Mae West
Sex with love is the greatest thing in life. But sex without love — that's not so bad either.

Sex with love is the greatest thing in life. But sex without love — that's not so bad either.

Mae West