Quote of the Day: Mae West on Daily Inspiration

The digital world rewards us for being polished, predictable, and perpetually “on.” We scroll through other people’s highlight reels, measure ourselves against impossible standards, and end up playing it safe just to avoid judgment. But safety can become its own kind of cage, quietly draining our energy and dulling our voice. That’s why this line still cuts through the noise: “When I'm good, I'm very good. But when I'm bad I'm better.”

On the surface, it’s a wink. Underneath, it’s a strategy for reclaiming agency. “Good” can mean competent, agreeable, and within the lines, doing everything “right” so no one can criticize you. There’s nothing wrong with that. The trap is believing you must stay there to be worthy. Mae West reminds us: excellence isn’t limited to obedience.

Her twist, “when I’m bad I’m better”, isn’t an argument for harm or chaos. It’s permission to be bold where you’ve been timid, honest where you’ve been performative, and playful where you’ve been rigid. The “bad” she’s pointing to is often just the part of you that won’t apologize for wanting more: more truth, more creative risk, more self-respect. When you stop negotiating with other people’s expectations, your courage shows up, and your magnetism follows.

Mae West earned her place as a cultural force by turning vaudeville timing, Hollywood stardom, and daring lyrics into a persona that challenged the era’s rules while staying unmistakably in control of the joke.

Today, try one “tasteful rebellion”: say the honest sentence you’ve been editing, pitch the idea you’ve been downplaying, or set one clean boundary without overexplaining. Keep it kind, keep it clear, and let your freedom be loud enough to guide you home.