Jo had learned that hearts, like flowers, cannot be rudely handled, but must open naturally.

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

…that's what old people are here for, — else their experience is of little use.

You are the gull, Jo, strong and wild, fond of the storm and the wind, flying far out to sea, and happy all alone.

Let us be elegant or die! --Amy

Love is the only thing that we can carry with us when we go, and it makes the end so easy.

But the spirit of Eve is strong in all her daughters.