100+ Famous Mae West Quotes That Will Inspire and Entertain You

Mae West, the iconic actress, playwright, and sex symbol, was known for her sharp wit and unapologetic personality. Her words continue to resonate with fans and followers across generations, offering both humor and insight into life, love, and society. As one of the most famous figures in Hollywood's Golden Age, West became renowned for her bold quotes that blend humor, confidence, and a bit of sass. Her quotes remain as relevant today as they were when she first uttered them, often reflecting her philosophy of living life to the fullest. This article explores 10 different themes that encapsulate Mae West’s unique perspective on life and love. Each subtitle presents a collection of 12 of her most memorable quotes, offering a glimpse into her timeless charm and attitude. Whether you’re looking for humor, self-assurance, or a little bit of cheekiness, Mae West’s words have the perfect quote for every occasion.

Mae West Quotes on Confidence

"I don't like myself, but I sure like the way I look."
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."
"It's not the men in my life that count, it's the life in my men."
"I’ve been in love with the same woman for 30 years. If my wife finds out, she'll kill me!"
"A woman in love can't be reasonable – or she knows she's right."
"I believe in love at first sight. I believe in it for me, of course."
"You’re never too old to become younger."
"Give a man a free hand and he’ll run it all over you."
"I was the first woman to burn my bra – it took the fire department four days to put it out."
"The more I see of men, the more I like dogs."
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can’t resist it."
"I don’t mind making jokes, but I don’t want to look like one."

Mae West Quotes on Love

"Love conquers all things except poverty and toothache."
"Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before."
"A man in love is incomplete until he is married. Then he’s finished."
"Love is like a dream. It’s always right in the beginning, and it doesn’t last."
"I used to be Snow White, but I drifted."
"Every man I meet wants to protect me. I can’t figure out what from."
"Marriage is a great institution, but I’m not ready for an institution."
"He who hesitates is last."
"I’ve been married a few times, but I’ve never been a bride. I’m too busy to marry."
"You can’t win ‘em all, but you can try."
"I’ve had a lot of lovers. And a lot of love stories."
"I like to have a little romance in my life, even if it’s only with my reflection."

Mae West Quotes on Humor

"When I'm good, I'm very good. But when I'm bad, I'm better."
"I’m no angel, but I’ve spread my wings a bit."
"I’m the girl who can make a joke about anything, but don’t ask me to keep a straight face!"
"I believe in the old saying: ‘If you can’t laugh at yourself, you have no right to laugh at anyone else.’"
"I didn’t invent the high heels, but I perfected them!"
"I’m not afraid of death. I just don’t want to be there when it happens."
"I used to be a stripper. Now, I’m just a regular comedian. What a transformation!"
"I’m a huge fan of sarcasm. It’s the only way I know how to speak."
"I love to talk about myself. It’s the only thing I really understand!"
"Men are like a bank account: without money, they don’t generate any interest."
"A laugh is a smile that bursts."
"I’ve learned that the best way to laugh at life is to laugh first."

Mae West Quotes on Women

"I never loved another person the way I loved myself."
"A girl can’t read that sort of thing without her lipstick."
"The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize."
"I don't mind being a sex symbol, but I want to be remembered for my brain."
"I’m not a girl who follows trends; I set them."
"I have nothing to wear – and that’s when I know I have everything!"
"I don’t dress for men, I dress for myself."
"A woman is as old as she feels – and if she feels 90, she’s 90!"
"A woman’s mind is cleaner than a man’s – she changes it more often."
"Women need love the most when they deserve it the least."
"There are no good girls gone wrong – just bad girls found out."
"To err is human, but it feels divine."

Mae West Quotes on Life

"Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death."
"I’m a believer in karma. It’s what makes life interesting."
"I believe in miracles. I’ve seen them happen, especially in my own life!"
"The trouble with me is that I have a great memory and an even greater imagination."
"You can never be too rich or too thin."
"Take a bad situation, and make it better. It’s all about perspective."
"If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space."
"I love life, I live it to the fullest, and I don’t take anything too seriously."
"Age is just a number, and I’m always young at heart."
"You can’t take life too seriously – nobody gets out alive anyway!"
"In life, you have to make your own happiness. Don’t wait for someone else."
"I never worry about anything – it’s all part of the ride!"

Mae West Quotes on Self-Respect

"You don’t have to be good at everything. Just good enough for yourself."
"If you don’t love yourself, how can you expect someone else to?"
"I have the highest regard for myself and my abilities."
"Self-respect is the key to happiness."
"I’m not perfect, but I am a work of art."
"I would rather be a strong woman than a beautiful one. Beauty fades, but strength lasts."
"I am what I am, and that’s all I’ll ever be."
"If you want respect, you must first give it to yourself."
"People who judge others are too busy to notice their own flaws."
"Don’t let anyone define you. You are your own definition of greatness."
"I never apologize for being me. It’s the only thing I know how to do!"
"Confidence is silent. Insecurity is loud."

Mae West Quotes on Men

"I’m not interested in men who don’t appreciate a woman’s worth."
"All men are equal, but some are more equal than others."
"Men are like fine wine, they improve with age – unless they’re corked."
"You can tell a lot about a man by how he treats a woman."
"Never trust a man who doesn’t know how to handle his own life."
"A man in love is not always a gentleman."
"All men are bad, but they don’t have to stay that way."
"I never met a man I didn’t like – but I’ve met a few who were unworthy of me!"
"A man who treats a woman like a queen will be treated like a king."
"Men are like dogs, but I prefer them as pets."
"I’m always open to a good man – as long as he’s not too open!"
"In love, men are like children – they need constant attention."

Mae West Quotes on Success

"Success is the best revenge."
"If you want to be successful, you have to go for it – no holding back!"
"Success is a ladder that you can’t climb with your hands in your pockets."
"I’d rather be a successful woman than a famous one."
"There are no shortcuts to success – only hard work and dedication."
"When you reach success, always look back and appreciate how far you’ve come."
"Success isn’t measured by money – it’s measured by happiness."
"I believe in success. It’s just a matter of having the guts to chase it."
"Success isn’t just about reaching the top – it’s about enjoying the climb."
"I never set out to be famous – I just wanted to be successful."
"Success follows hard work, but don’t forget to have fun along the way."
"Success is the most effective way to silence your critics."

Mae West Quotes on Fame

"Fame is what you get when you don’t have to try."
"You can’t buy fame – you have to earn it."
"The price of fame is high, but the rewards are worth it."
"Fame is fleeting – but what you do with it lasts forever."
"There’s no such thing as bad publicity. It’s all part of the game."
"I’m not looking for fame – I’m looking for greatness."
"Fame is a mistress that you can never completely tame."
"If you want fame, you better be prepared to handle it."
"Fame is the most dangerous drug – once you’ve had a taste, you can’t get enough."
"Fame isn’t about being adored; it’s about being remembered."
"In the world of fame, you either stand out or fade into the background."
"I don’t need fame, I just need recognition."

Mae West Quotes on Aging

"I’m not getting older, I’m just getting better!"
"Aging is like a fine wine – it only gets better with time."
"I don’t mind getting older. The alternative is much worse."
"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter."
"I’ve learned to embrace my age. It’s a sign of wisdom."
"Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional."
"The older I get, the more I appreciate life and all its pleasures."
"You’re as young as you feel – and I feel young every day!"
"Aging is the best thing that can happen to you if you do it right."
"I’m not just aging; I’m evolving into something even more amazing."
"I don’t see age as a barrier – I see it as an opportunity for growth."
"The beauty of aging is that you get to be more yourself than ever before."

Final words

Mae West's timeless quotes serve as a reminder to live boldly, love freely, and embrace all the joys that life has to offer. Her wit, wisdom, and unshakeable confidence continue to inspire people today, showing us the value of self-expression and individuality. Whether you’re seeking humor, confidence, or a little motivation, Mae West’s quotes offer the perfect dose of charm and sass. She taught us that living fully means being unapologetically yourself and never taking life too seriously. Mae West’s legacy lives on not just through her iconic films but through her words, which will continue to inspire future generations to live life on their own terms and always with a sense of humor.