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.

A time will come when you will find that in gaining a brief joy you have lost your peace forever.

Salt is like good-humor, and nearly every thing is better for a pinch of it.

…for no matter how lost and soiled and worn-out wandering sons may be, mothers can forgive and forget every thing as they fold them into their fostering arms. Happy the son whose faith in his mother remains unchanged, and who, through all his wanderings, has kept some filial token to repay her brave and tender love.

I like to help women help themselves, as that is, in my opinion, the best way to settle the woman question. Whatever we can do and do well we have a right to, and I don't think any one will deny us.

We can't any of us do all we would like, but we can do our best for every case that comes to us, and that helps amazingly.

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.