15 amusing quotes by Mae West

Mae West was one of the most controversial movie stars of her day, making comedy out of the prudish, conventional mores of that time. Nevertheless Depression-era audiences loved her for it.

Born Mary Jane West in Brooklyn, New York in 1893 she was an actress, singer, playwright, screenwriter, comedian and sex symbol whose entertainment career spanned seven decades.

Some might dismiss her for her light-hearted bawdy double entendres and breezy sexual independence but she knew what she was doing and she was clearly very smart.

She was a woman who lived life on her own terms.

Asked about the various efforts to impede her career, Mae West replied, “I believe in censorship. I made a fortune out of it.”

Here are 15 quotes by Mae West, many of which I’m sure will make you smile.

Quotes by Mae West:

A dame that knows the ropes isn’t likely to get tied up. ~Mae West
I used to be Snow White but I drifted. ~Mae West
Too much of a good thing can be wonderful. ~Mae West
To err is human but it feels divine. ~Mae West
I generally avoid temptation unless I can’t resist it. ~Mae West
It is better to be looked over than overlooked. ~Mae West
You only live once but if you do it right, once is enough. ~Mae West
Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly. ~Mae West
I never loved another person the way I loved myself. ~Mae West
He who hesitates is a damned fool. ~Mae West
Virtue has its own reward, but no sale at the box office. ~Mae West
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. ~Mae West
I’ll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure. ~Mae West
Marriage is a great institution but I’m not ready for an institution. ~Mae West