Louisa May Alcott Quotes (125 Quotes)

We each are young, we each have a heart, Oh, why should we thus stand coldly apart

Every few weeks she would shut herself up in her room, put on her scribbling suit, and fall into a vortex, as she expressed it, writing way at her novel with all her heart and soul, for till that was finished she could find no peace.

I wish I had no heart, it aches so…

Let us be elegant or die! --Amy

We'll all grow up Meg, no pretending we won't.

For in that sad yet happy hour, she had learned not only the bitterness of remorse and despair, but the sweetness of self-denial and self-control, and led by her mother's hand, she had drawn nearer to the Friend who always welcomes every child with a love stronger than that of any father, tenderer than that of any mother.

I'd rather take coffee than compliments just now.

Love covers a multitude of sins…

Well, I am happy, and I won't fret, but it does seem as if the more one gets the more one wants…

A quick temper, sharp tongue, and restless spirit were always getting her into scrapes, and her life was a series of ups and downs, which were both comic and pathetic.

Gentlemen, be courteous to the old maids, no matter how poor and plain and prim, for the only chivalry worth having is that which is the readiest to to pay deference to the old, protect the feeble, and serve womankind, regardless of rank, age, or color.

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

Love Jo all your days, if you choose, but don't let it spoil you, for it's wicked to throw away so many good gifts because you can't have the one you want.

When we make little sacrifices we like to have them appreciated, at least…

A year seems very long to wait before I see them, but remind them that while we wait we may all work, so these hard days need not be wasted. I know they will remember all I said to them, that they will be loving children to you, will do their duty faithfully, fight their bosom enemies bravely, and conquer themselves so beautifully that when I come back to them I may be fonder and prouder than ever of my little women.

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

If life is often so hard as this, I don't see how we ever shall get through it…

Many wise and true sermons are preached us everyday by unconscious ministers in street, school, office, or home; even a fair table may become a pulpit, if it can offer the good and helpful words which are never out of season.

Where's the use of looking nice, when no one sees me but those cross midgets, and no one cares whether I'm pretty or not?

Be comforted, dear soul! There is always light behind the clouds.

Go out more, keep cheerful as well as busy, for you are the sunshine-maker of the family, and if you get dismal there is no fair weather.

If she had seen his face when, safe in his own room, he looked at the picture of a severe and rigid young lady, with a good deal of hair, who appeared to be gazing darkly into futurity, it might have thrown some light upon the subject, especially when he turned off the gas, and kissed the picture in the dark.

Meg's high-heeled slippers were dreadfully tight, and hurt her, though she would not own it; and Jo's nineteen hair-pins all seemed stuck straight into her head, which was not exactly comfortable; but, dear me, let us be elegant or die.

Woman work a great many miracles.

Conceit spoils the finest genius. There is not much danger that real talent or goodness will be overlooked long; even if it is, the consciousness of possessing and using it well should satisfy one, and the great charm of all power is modesty.

"Stay" is a charming word in a friend's vocabulary.

Talent isn't genius and no amount of energy can make it so. I want to be great, or nothing. I won't be a commonplace dauber, so I don't intend to try any more.

Money is the root of all evil, and yet it is such a useful root that we cannot get on without it any more than we can without potatoes.

What do girls do who haven't any mothers to help them through their troubles?

If Mr. Clemens cannot think of something better to tell our pure-minded lads and lasses, he had better stop writing for them.

People don't have fortunes left them in that style nowadays; men have to work and women to marry for money. It's a dreadfully unjust world.

People want to be amused, not preached at, you know. Morals don't sell nowadays.

I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship.

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.

Work is and always has been my salvation and I thank the Lord for it.

Painful as it may be, a significant emotional event can be the catalyst for choosing a direction that serves us - and those around us - more effectively. Look for the learning.

Father asked us what was God's noblest work. Anna said men, but I said babies. Men are often bad, but babies never are.

There are many Beths in the world, shy and quiet, sitting in corners till needed, and living for others so cheerfully that no one sees the sacrifices till the little cricket on the hearth stops chirping, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind.

...the words 'we are sisters' went straight to her heart and nestled there.

Love is a flower that grows in any soil, works its sweet miracles undaunted by autumn frost or winter snow, blooming fair and fragrant all the year, and blessing those who give and those who receive.

A little kingdom I possess, where thoughts and feelings dwell; And very hard the task I find of governing it well.

Let my name stand among those who are willing to bear ridicule and reproach for the truth's sake, and so earn some right to rejoice when the victory is won.

Housekeeping ain't no joke.

She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain

O vanity, mislead no more!

Fame is a pearl many dive for and only a few bring up. Even when they do, it is not perfect, and they sigh for more, and lose better things in struggling for them.

Dont shut yourself up in a band box because you are a woman, but understand what is going on, and educate yourself to take part in the world's work, for it all affects you and yours.

The rooms were very still while the pages were softly turned and the winter sunshine crept in to touch the bright heads and serious faces with a Christmas greeting.

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.

He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions.