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

Mae West’s witty remark, “Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before,” delights with its audacious logic and subversive humor. Rather than recoiling from moral ambiguity, she leans into it with curiosity and a spirit of adventure. On the surface, the line is lighthearted, playing with the notion of choosing between two undesirable options. Yet, beneath the humor, West’s perspective challenges conventional approaches to morality and risk.

Instead of agonizing over which choice is lesser or more tolerable, West opts for novelty, a willingness to engage with the unknown, even when the options themselves are ethically dubious. There is a rebellious quality to her approach, turning the idea of ‘evil’ on its head. Typically, making choices between “evils” invokes caution, regret, or a resigned sense of duty. But for West, it’s about experience, about living life to its fullest and collecting stories, regardless of how they conform to societal expectations. Her focus is less on the consequences of right and wrong, and more on the value of variety and personal growth that stems from plunging into new experiences.

This attitude starkly contrasts with the traditional wisdom of avoiding temptation or harm. West’s philosophy winks at prudence, suggesting that even less desirable paths can hold their own form of excitement and knowledge. There may be an undercurrent of satire aimed at the human tendency to dress up risk avoidance as virtue, while secretly yearning for the thrill of the forbidden. By openly choosing the “evil” not yet experienced, she highlights the human desire for novelty over routine.

Ultimately, Mae West’s quip suggests that life’s richness arises not from always making the “best” decisions, but sometimes from boldly embracing the unknown, even if it’s not the most virtuous road. Her irreverence invites us to consider the value of unconventional choices, laughter, and a life less ordinary.