Louisa May Alcott Quotes

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.

…what splendid dreams young people build upon a word, and how bitter is the pain when the bright bubbles burst.

Preserve your memories, keep them well, what you forget you can never retell.

O vanity, mislead no more!

If you dear little girls would only learn what real beauty is, and not pinch and starve and bleach yourselves out so, you'd save an immense deal of time and money and pain. A happy soul in a healthy body makes the best sort of beauty for man or woman.

My father taught in the wise way which unfolds what lies in the child

Mothers can forgive anything! Tell me all, and be sure that I will never let you go, though the whole world should turn from you.

I've got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I can unlock the door remains to be seen.

We'll all grow up someday, Meg, we might as well know what we want. ~Amy March~

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

A holiday isn't a holiday, without plenty of freedom and fun.

She preferred imaginary heroes to real ones, because when tired of them, the former could be shut up in the tin kitchen till called for, and the latter were less manageable.

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

It takes so little to make a child happy, that it is a pity in a world full of sunshine and pleasant things, that there should be any wistful faces, empty hands, or lonely little hearts.

My definition (of a philosopher) is of a man up in a balloon, with his family and friends holding the ropes which confine him to earth and trying to haul him down.

I don't think secrets agree with me, I feel rumpled up in mind since you told me that.

Women have been called queens for a long time, but the kingdom given them isn't worth ruling.

Prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well.

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?

...and Jo laid the rustling sheets together with a careful hand, as one might shut the covers of a lovely romance, which holds the reader fast till the end comes, and he finds himself alone in the work-a-day world again.

To most the end comes as naturally and simply as sleep.

Love is a great beautifier.

In the books I read the sinners are always more interesting than the saints, and in real life good people are dismally dull. I've no desire to be wicked, but I do want to be happy. A short life and a gay one for me and I'm willing to pay for my pleasure if it is necessary.

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

So she doesn't call desertion, poverty, and hard work troubles? She's a brave little girl, and I shall be proud to know her.

Simple, sincere people seldom speak much of their piety; it shows itself in acts rather than words, and has more influence than homilies or protestations.

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.

Dan clung to her in speechless gratitude, feeling the blessedness of mother love, — that divine gift which comforts, purifies, and strengthens all who seek it.

Girls could do most things as well as boys, and some things better.

Ridicule is often harder to bear than self-denial.

Good books, like good friends, are few and chosen; the more select, the more enjoyable.

Beth could not reason upon or explain the faith that gave her courage and patience to give up life, and cheerfully wait for death. Like a confiding child, she asked no questions, but left everything to God and nature, Father and Mother of us all, feeling sure that they, and they only, could teach and strengthen heart and spirit for this life and the life to come.

I have nothing to give but my heart so full and these empty hands." "They're not empty now.

But, like all happiness, it did not last long.

…because talent isn't genius, and no amount of energy can make it so. I want to be great, or nothing.

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.

The duty we owe ourselves is greater than that we owe others.

Nothing remained but loneliness and grief.

I shall keep my book on the table here, and read a little every morning as soon as I wake, for I know it will do me good, and help me through the day.

Such hours are beautiful to live, but very hard to describe.

You say often you wish a library; here I gif you one; for between these two lids (he meant covers) is many books in one. Read him well, and he will help you much; for the study of character in this book will help you to read it in the world, and paint it with your pen.

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

Back to him she would never go, but in her lonely life still lived the sweet memory of that happy time when she believed in him and he was all in all to her.

All the worse for the undeniable talent which hides the evil so subtly and makes the danger so delightful.

Mothers can forgive anything!

Her beauty satisfied [his] artistic eye, her peculiarities piqued his curiosity, her vivacity lightened his ennui, and her character interested him by the unconscious hints it gave of power, pride and passion. So entirely natural and unconventional was she that he soon found himself on a familiar footing, asking all manner of unusual questions, and receiving rather piquant replies.

Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success.

So she enjoyed herself heartily, and found, what isn't always the case, that her granted wish was all she had hoped.