Louisa May Alcott Quotes

I have nothing to give but my heart so full and these empty hands." "They're not empty now.

At twenty-five, girls begin to talk about being old maids, but secretly resolve that they never will. At thirty, they say nothing about it, but quietly accept the fact.

[She was] kept there in the sort of embrace a man gives to the dearest creature the world holds for him.

Dear me! how happy and good we'd be, if we had no worries!

I shall keep my book on the table here, and read a little every morning as soon as I wake, for I know it will do me good, and help me through the day.

Right Jo better be happy old maids than unhappy wives or unmaidenly girls running about to find husbands.

Go on with your work as usual, for work is a blessed solace.

[Jo to her mother] I knew there was mischief brewing. I felt it and now it's worse than I imagined. I just wish I could marry Meg myself, and keep her safe in the family.

The small hopes and plans and pleasures of children should be tenderly respected by grown-up people, and never rudely thwarted or ridiculed.

…she rejoiced as only mothers can in the good fortunes of their children.

I do like men who come out frankly and own that they are not gods.

Be worthy love, and love will come.

ridicule is often harder to bear than self-denial.

Mine first --mine last-- mine even in the grave!

Cast your bread upon the waters, and after many days it will come back buttered.

Remember that frost comes latest to those that bloom the highest.

I make so many beginnings there never will be an end.

Girls could do most things as well as boys, and some things better.

Back to him she would never go, but in her lonely life still lived the sweet memory of that happy time when she believed in him and he was all in all to her.

People cannot be molded like clay.

Love and Loyalty If ever men and women are their simplest, sincerest selves, it is when suffering softens the one, and sympathy strengthens the other.

Mothers can forgive anything!

Sympathy is a sweet thing.

…misfortune was much more interesting to her than good luck.

books have been my greatest comfort, castle-building a never-failing delight, and scribbling a very profitable amusement.

...a capital patient, as she never died and never got well.

Liberty is a better husband than love to many of us.

My only answer is, if my grave stood open on one side and you upon the other I'd go into my grave before I would take one step to meet you.

And the good fairy said, I won't leave you money or pretty dresses but I will leave you the spirit to seek your fortune from your own efforts.

All is fish that comes to the literary net. Goethe puts his joys and sorrows into poems, I turn my adventures into bread and butter.

Rule yourself. Love your neighbor. Do the duty that lies nearest you.

Don't cry so bitterly, but remember this day, and resolve with all your soul that you will never know another like it.

Life is my university, and I hope to graduate from it with some distinction.

I hate ordinary people!

All the worse for the undeniable talent which hides the evil so subtly and makes the danger so delightful.

Liberty must not be abused.

Work is always my salvation and I will celebrate it.

I don't think secrets agree with me, I feel rumpled up in mind since you told me that.

Don't mind me. I'm as happy as a cricket here.

Love is a beautifier.

I was thinking what a curious thing love is; only a sentiment, and yet it has power to make fools of men and slaves of women.

strength and beauty must go hand in hand

I did fail, say what you will, for Jo wouldn't love me.

It is my opinion that this day will never come to an end," said Prince, with a yawn that nearly rent him assunder.

... because I have fallen in love with so many pretty girls and never once the least bit with any man.

Rome took all the vanity out of me; for after seeing the wonders there, I felt too insignificant to live, and gave up all my foolish hopes in despair.

We'll all grow up someday, Meg, we might as well know what we want. ~Amy March~

Mac looked up with the oddest of all his odd expressions

If I didn't care about doing right and didn't feel uncomfortable doing wrong, I should get on capitally.

I for one don't want to be ranked among idiots, felons, and minors any longer, for I am none of them.