"I keep waiting to meet a man who has more balls than I do"
About this Quote
Salma Hayek’s declaration, “I keep waiting to meet a man who has more balls than I do,” is bold, playful, and resonant with multiple layers of meaning. At its core, it challenges traditional notions of gender, courage, and power. The phrase “more balls than I do” uses the colloquial symbolism of “balls” as a metaphor for bravery, daring, and resilience, traits traditionally attributed, sometimes narrowly, to men. By stating she hasn’t yet met a man who surpasses her in this regard, Hayek asserts her own formidable strength, both as a woman and as an individual.
Rather than simply boasting about her own courage, Hayek highlights the shifting dynamics of power and confidence in the modern world, especially as related to gender. Her words invert the usual hierarchy: instead of women struggling to match men’s perceived toughness, she surpasses the standard set by men, questioning the very foundation of those gendered expectations. This subversion urges the listener to reconsider what qualities are truly “masculine” or “feminine,” revealing them as human traits accessible to everyone, regardless of gender.
There is also a tone of challenge in her statement. By “waiting” to meet a man braver than herself, she invites men not just to match her strength, but also to redefine what strength looks like. The line carries a subtle critique of those who rest on traditional gender laurels without embodying true courage or conviction. At the same time, there is humor in her use of playful language, showing confidence without arrogance.
Hayek’s quote can be seen as a celebration of female empowerment and a provocation for people of all genders to embrace bravery authentically. It is an assertion of self-worth and a nudge to society to recognize that tenacity, fortitude, and “guts” are not confined to any gender, they are achieved through action and character.
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Source | Salma Hayek, quoted in Interview Magazine, November 2002. |
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