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

Laurie felt just then that his heart was entirely broken and the world a howling wilderness.

... swept into the giddy vortex which keeps so many young people revolving aimlessly, till they go down or are cast upon the shore, wrecks of what they might have been

Jo's eyes sparkled, for it's always pleasant to be believed in; and a friend's praise is always sweeter than a dozen newspaper puffs.

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

Marmee: Oh, Jo. Jo, you have so many extraordinary gifts; how can you expect to lead an ordinary life? You’re ready to go out and – and find a good use for your talent. Tho’ I don’t know what I shall do without my Jo. Go, and embrace your liberty. And see what wonderful things come of it.

...and best of all, the wilderness of books, in which she could wander, where she liked, made the library a region of bliss to her.