72 Inspiring Mae West Quotes (Free List)

Mae West quotes are thought-provoking, memorable and inspiring. From views on society and politics to thoughts on love and life, Mae West has a lot to say. In this list we present the 72 best Mae West quotes, in no particular order. Let yourself get inspired!

(And check out our page with Mae West quotes per category if you only want to read quotes from a certain category, such as funny, life, love, politics, and more).

Mae West quotes

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

— Mae West


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

— Mae West


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

— Mae West


I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it.

— Mae West


I never loved another person the way I loved myself.

— Mae West


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

— Mae West


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

— Mae West


Good sex is like good bridge. If you don’t have a good partner, you’d better have a good hand.

— Mae West


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

— Mae West


He who hesitates is a damned fool.

— Mae West


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

— Mae West


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

— Mae West


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

— Mae West


Goodness had nothing to do with it.

— Mae West, She Done Him Wrong


You are never too old to become younger!

— Mae West


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

— Mae West


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

— Mae West


Cultivate your curves – they may be dangerous but they won’t be avoided.

— Mae West


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

— Mae West


I’m single because I was born that way.

— Mae West


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

— Mae West, The 2,548 Best Things Anybody Ever Said


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

— Mae West


Good girls go to heaven, bad girls go everywhere.

— Mae West, Wit & Wisdom of Mae West


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.

— Mae West


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

— Mae West


Sex is an emotion in motion.

— Mae West


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

— Mae West, Wit & Wisdom of Mae West


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

— Mae West


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

— Mae West


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

— Mae West


Those who are easily shocked should be shocked more often.

— Mae West


To err is human – but it feels divine.

— Mae West


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

— Mae West


Too much of a good thing can be wonderful!

— Mae West


The score never interested me, only the game.

— Mae West


One more drink and I’ll be under the host.

— Mae West


I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.

— Mae West


Brains are an asset, if you hide them.

— Mae West


There are no good girls gone wrong – just bad girls found out

— Mae West


They say love is blind . . . and marriage is an insritution. Well I’m nor ready for an instirurion for rhe blind just yet.

— Mae West


A man can be short and dumpy and getting bald but if he has fire women will like him.

— Mae West


When choosing between two evils I always like to take the one I’ve never tried before.

— Mae West


It is better to be looked over than overlooked.

— Mae West


Too much of a good thing can be wonderful.

— Mae West


He who hesitates is last.

— Mae West


Everything’s in the mind. That’s where it all starts. Knowing what you want is the first step toward getting it.

— Mae West


Marriage is a great institution but I’m not ready for an institution.

— Mae West


When women go wrong men go right after them.

— Mae West


Dennis Thatcher husband of Margaret Thatcher when asked who wore the pants in his house said “I do and I also wash and iron them.” I only like two kinds of men domestic and foreign.

— Mae West


When you’ve got the personality you don’t need the nudity.

— Mae West


Love conquers all things except poverty and a toothache.

— Mae West


I used to be snow-white . . . but I drifted.

— Mae West


When I’m good I’m very good but when I’m bad I’m better.

— Mae West


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

— Mae West


Between two evils I always picked the one I never tried before.

— Mae West


Your real security is yourself. You know you can do it and they can’t ever take that away from you.

— Mae West


She’s the kind of woman who climbed the ladder of success wrong by wrong.

— Mae West


Virtue has its own reward but no sale at the box office.

— Mae West


To err is human, but it feels divine.

— Mae West


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


When women go wrong, men go right after them.

— Mae West


A man can be short and dumpy and getting bald but if he has fire, women will like him.

— Mae West


Look your best – who said love is blind?

— Mae West


When I’m good, I’m very good. But when I’m bad I’m better.

— Mae West


Too much of a good thing can be taxing.

— Mae West


Marriage is a great institution, but I’m not ready for an institution.

— Mae West


He’s the kind of man a woman would have to marry to get rid of.

— Mae West


Save a boyfriend for a rainy day – and another, in case it doesn’t rain.

— Mae West


A man’s kiss is his signature.

— Mae West


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

— Mae West


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

— Mae West


I only have ‘yes’ men around me. Who needs ‘no’ men?

— Mae West