--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: (During a trial in which she was accused…" description: "\"(During a trial in which she was accused of indecency on stage) Judge: 'Miss West, are you trying to show contempt for this court?' Mae West: 'On the c..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcd/mae-west-1200_celebrity_during-a-trial-in-which-she-was-accused_3227136.jpg" --- # (During a trial in which she was accused of indecency on… ![“(During a trial in which she was accused of indecency on stage) Judge: 'Miss West, are you trying to show contempt for this court?' Mae West: 'On the contrary, your Honor, I was doin' my best to conceal it.'” quote by Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcd/mae-west-1200_celebrity_during-a-trial-in-which-she-was-accused_3227136.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcd/mae-west-1200_celebrity_during-a-trial-in-which-she-was-accused_3227136.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcd/mae-west-1200_celebrity_during-a-trial-in-which-she-was-accused_3227136.jpg) > “(During a trial in which she was accused of indecency on stage) Judge: 'Miss West, are you trying to show contempt for this court?' Mae West: 'On the contrary, your Honor, I was doin' my best to conceal it.'” [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Mae West jokes that the judge misinterprets her performance as contempt, but she was actually trying to hide it. **In simple terms:** She pretended to hide contempt while actually showing it. Key Takeaway Know when humor masks true feelings. Themes humor court performance Mood playful defensive Type satirical witty When to use this quote - theater - legal proceedings - public speaking Key Concepts self‑deception irony Questions to Reflect On - Do you use humor to hide discomfort? - When does sarcasm become misleading? A Different Perspective Humor can obscure genuine intent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Celebrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celebrity/) ## Related quotes > [JUDGE: Are you trying to show contempt for this court? MAE WEST: I was doin' my best to hide it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/judge-are-you-trying-to-show-contempt-for-this-court-mae-west-i-was/) [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) > [Human beings are complicated. O.J. Simpson is a testament to that. Just because he stood on trial accused of murder doesn't mean he can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-edelman/human-beings-are-complicated-o-j-simpson-is-a-testament-to-that-just/) [Ezra Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-edelman/) > [I loved being a judge, and sometimes I miss the power of the gavel, but this is a lot more fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-crier/i-loved-being-a-judge-and-sometimes-i-miss-the-power-of-the-gavel-but/) [Catherine Crier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-crier/) > [Woman: You certainly know the way to a man's heart. Mae West: Funny, too, 'cause I don't know how to cook.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/woman-you-certainly-know-the-way-to-a-man-s-heart-mae-west-funny-too/) [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) > [An appeal is when you ask one court to show it's contempt for another court.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finley-peter-dunne/an-appeal-is-when-you-ask-one-court-to-show-it-s-contempt-for-another/) [Finley Peter Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finley-peter-dunne/) > [“I cozied an apple in my hand and tried the weight of it against my palm, contemplating whether or not beaning a judge with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-heffington/i-cozied-an-apple-in-my-hand-and-tried-the-weight-of-it-against-my/) [Rachel Heffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-heffington/) > [Musharraf has just gone against the constitution and displayed contempt of court and has shown that he has no respect for the rule of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shehbaz-sharif/musharraf-has-just-gone-against-the-constitution-and-displayed/) [Shehbaz Sharif](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shehbaz-sharif/) > [An appeal is when you ask one court to show its contempt for another court.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finley-peter-dunne/an-appeal-is-when-you-ask-one-court-to-show-its-contempt-for-another/) [Finley Peter Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finley-peter-dunne/) > [I am pained that I have been held guilty of committing contempt of the Court whose majesty I have tried to uphold - not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/i-am-pained-that-i-have-been-held-guilty-of-committing-contempt-of/) [Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/) > [Joe Louis was one of my closest friends… I'm a great boxing fan. I used to go to the American Legion Stadium in Hollywood,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-rooney/joe-louis-was-one-of-my-closest-friends-i-m-a-great-boxing-fan-i-used/) [Mickey Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-rooney/) > [I want make sure I'm showing up for the people I'm really close to and my family, and so finding a balance is really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alaska/i-want-make-sure-i-m-showing-up-for-the-people-i-m-really-close-to/) [Alaska](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alaska/) > [“Look at you, locked and loaded, like Mae West of the Motor City.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruta-sepetys/look-at-you-locked-and-loaded-like-mae-west-of-the-motor-city/) [Ruta Sepetys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruta-sepetys/) > [I don't do Judy Garland or Mae West, and I'm not a female impersonator. I'm an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divine/i-don-t-do-judy-garland-or-mae-west-and-i-m-not-a-female-impersonator/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divine/) > [Pretend you're a southern sheriff. Or Mae West. Or Donald Duck. Buy a western hat and walk around the house like a cowboy. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/pretend-you-re-a-southern-sheriff-or-mae-west-or-donald-duck-buy-a/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [When I try to get work in the US all they say is that I need to lose weight - but I bet they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-church/when-i-try-to-get-work-in-the-us-all-they-say-is-that-i-need-to-lose/) [Charlotte Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-church/) ## More by Mae West > [Reason was nowhere, time was an immovable object nailed high on the wall, except where the world kept shop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/reason-was-nowhere-time-was-an-immovable-object-nailed-high-on-the/) [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) > [I've been in 'Who's Who' and I know what's what, but it'll be the first time I ever made the dictionary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/i-ve-been-in-who-s-who-and-i-know-what-s-what-but-it-ll-be-the-first/) [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) > [Look your best - who said love is blind?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/look-your-best-who-said-love-is-blind/) [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) > [Don't let a man put anything over on you except an umbrella.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/don-t-let-a-man-put-anything-over-on-you-except-an-umbrella/) [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) > [In my long and colorful career, one thing stands out: I have been misunderstood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/in-my-long-and-colorful-career-one-thing-stands-out-i-have-been/) [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) > [The finest woman that ever walked the streets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/the-finest-woman-that-ever-walked-the-streets/) [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) > [The best way to hold a man is in your arms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/the-best-way-to-hold-a-man-is-in-your-arms/) [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) > [Live close, visit often.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/live-close-visit-often/) [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) > [A real farmer. He spent his childhood in the wheat, and his marriage in the hay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/a-real-farmer-he-spent-his-childhood-in-the-wheat-and-his-marriage-in/) [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) > [Marriage? I ain't got time for a husband or child. All my life I've looked after myself as if I was my own child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/marriage-i-ain-t-got-time-for-a-husband-or-child-all-my-life-i-ve/) [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) > [“If I can't a man with a million dollars, I'll a million men with one dollar.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/if-i-can-t-a-man-with-a-million-dollars-i-ll-a-million-men-with-one/) [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) > [Sometimes I don't drink so the next day I can remember having fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/sometimes-i-don-t-drink-so-the-next-day-i-can-remember-having-fun/) [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) > [Positive thoughts generate positive feelings and attract positive life experiences. You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/positive-thoughts-generate-positive-feelings-and-attract-positive/) [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) > [I believe in the single standard -- for men and women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/i-believe-in-the-single-standard-for-men-and-women/) [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) > [“Goodness had nothing to do with it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/goodness-had-nothing-to-do-with-it/) [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) [Explore all 271 Mae West quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) ## More Celebrity quotes > [“I'm always looking for evidence to support my conjecture that celebrity in Hollywood is sort of like a Joel Peter Witkin photograph: It looks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cintra-wilson/i-m-always-looking-for-evidence-to-support-my-conjecture-that/) [Cintra Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cintra-wilson/) > [“Take care of your costume and your confidence will take care of itself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/take-care-of-your-costume-and-your-confidence-will-take-care-of-itself/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [I gave up some of my celebrity to be with my children for 14 years, but it's been fine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-rabbitt/i-gave-up-some-of-my-celebrity-to-be-with-my-children-for-14-years/) [Eddie Rabbitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-rabbitt/) > [Unfortunately, celebrity is a powerful thing. It can influence people, but if it can influence people in a good way, then that's a great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-furnish/unfortunately-celebrity-is-a-powerful-thing-it-can-influence-people/) [David Furnish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-furnish/) > [There's only one me. I'm obsessed with pop culture and celebrity. I used to be an actor, I used to be a journalist and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/there-s-only-one-me-i-m-obsessed-with-pop-culture-and-celebrity-i/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [To become a celebrity is to become a brand name. There is Ivory Soap, Rice Krispies, and Philip Roth. Ivory is the soap that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/to-become-a-celebrity-is-to-become-a-brand-name-there-is-ivory-soap/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [I don't like the word celebrity. If I become a good actress and be in movies where I'm expected to be a good actress,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-reilly/i-don-t-like-the-word-celebrity-if-i-become-a-good-actress-and-be-in/) [Kelly Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-reilly/) > [I loved 'Celebrity Fit Club,' working out six days a week, running a mile and a half three times a week, and doing 1,000…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralphie-may/i-loved-celebrity-fit-club-working-out-six-days-a-week-running-a-mile/) [Ralphie May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralphie-may/) > [Royalty is completely different than celebrity. Royalty has a magic all its own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-treacy/royalty-is-completely-different-than-celebrity-royalty-has-a-magic/) [Philip Treacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-treacy/) > [I suppose people also have to be a little more careful or circumspect if they're going to leverage their celebrity to promote their political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-rundgren/i-suppose-people-also-have-to-be-a-little-more-careful-or-circumspect/) [Todd Rundgren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-rundgren/) > [I surprised the hell out of myself when I got MVP for the 2018 All Star Legends Celebrity game. I had no idea I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-miz/i-surprised-the-hell-out-of-myself-when-i-got-mvp-for-the-2018-all/) [The Miz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-miz/) > [I grew up in celebrity world, so I know what famous people are like, and I've never looked up to them in that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-allen/i-grew-up-in-celebrity-world-so-i-know-what-famous-people-are-like/) [Lily Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-allen/) > [Well, I knew I wanted to be an actor, and I didn't necessarily need or want to be famous or a celebrity actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-fischer/well-i-knew-i-wanted-to-be-an-actor-and-i-didn-t-necessarily-need-or/) [Jenna Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-fischer/) > [People are people. All that celebrity tagging doesn't bother me at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-price/people-are-people-all-that-celebrity-tagging-doesn-t-bother-me-at-all/) [Katie Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-price/) > [There's a line between being an artist and being a celebrity. Whether you're a famous photographer or artist, or you're an actor or director,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-heard/there-s-a-line-between-being-an-artist-and-being-a-celebrity-whether/) [Amber Heard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-heard/) [Browse all 1,675 Celebrity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celebrity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "(During a trial in which she was accused of indecency on stage) Judge: 'Miss West, are you trying to show contempt for this court?' Mae West: 'On the contrary, your Honor, I was doin' my best to conceal it.'", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mae West" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/during-a-trial-in-which-she-was-accused-of-indecency-on-stage-judge/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Celebrity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/during-a-trial-in-which-she-was-accused-of-indecency-on-stage-judge/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcd/mae-west-1200_celebrity_during-a-trial-in-which-she-was-accused_3227136.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcd/mae-west-1200_celebrity_during-a-trial-in-which-she-was-accused_3227136.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcd/mae-west-1200_celebrity_during-a-trial-in-which-she-was-accused_3227136.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“(During a trial in which she was accused of indecency on stage) Judge: 'Miss West, are you trying to show…” — Mae West", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Mae West", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "(During a trial in which she...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/during-a-trial-in-which-she-was-accused-of-indecency-on-stage-judge/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/during-a-trial-in-which-she-was-accused-of-indecency-on-stage-judge/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```