{Mrs. March to Jo} You are too much alike and too fond of freedom, not to mention hot tempers and strong wills, to get on happily together, in a relation which needs infinite patience and forbearance, as well as love.

Girls are so queer you never know what they mean. They say No when they mean Yes, and drive a man out of his wits for the fun of it.

I only mean to say that I have a feeling that it never was intended I should live long. I'm not like the rest of you.

It takes three or four women to get each man into, through, and out of the world.

It is never too early to try and plant [good principles] in a child, and never too late to cultivate them in the most neglected person.

...freedom being the sauce best beloved by the boyish soul.

Don't laugh at the spinsters, dear girls, for often very tender, tragic romances are hidden away in the hearts that beat so quietly under the sober gowns, and many silent sacrifices of youth, health, ambition, love itself, make the faded faces beautiful in God's sight. Even the sad, sour sisters should be kindly dealt with, because they have missed the sweetest part of life, if for no other reason.