Louisa May Alcott Quotes & Sayings

... trying to extinguish the brilliant hopes that blazed up a word of encouragement. — Louisa May Alcott

If you behaved properly, they would, but knowing you like their nonsense, they keep it up, and then you blame them. — Louisa May Alcott

Education is not confined to books, and the finest characters often graduate from no college, but make experience their master, and life their book. [Some care] only for the mental culture, and [are] in danger of over-studying, under the delusion ... that learning must be had at all costs, forgetting that health and real wisdom are better. — Louisa May Alcott

Liberty is a better husband than love to many of us. — Louisa May Alcott

There, I've done my best. If that wont do, I shall have to wait till I can do better. — Louisa May Alcott

On, I don't think I'm a genius!' cried Josie, growing calm and sober as she listened to the melodious voice and looked into the expressive face that filled her with confidence, so strong, sincere and kindly was it. 'I only want to find out if I have talent enough to go on, and after years of study be able to act well in any of the good plays people never tire of seeing. I don't expected to be a Mrs. Siddons or a Miss Cameron, much as I long to be; but it does seem as if I had something in me which can't come out in any way but this. When I act I'm perfectly happy. I seem to live, to be in my own world, and each new part is a new friend. I love Shakespeare, and am never tired of his splendid people. Of course I don't understand it all; but it's like being alone at night with the mountains and the stars, solemn and grand, and I try to imagine how it will look when the sun comes up, and all is glorious and clear to me. I can't see, but I feel the beauty, and long to express it. — Louisa May Alcott

Woman work a great many miracles. — Louisa May Alcott

She was living in bad sociery; and, imaginary though it was, its influence affected her, for she was feeding heart and fancy on dangerous and unsubstantial food, and was fast brushing the innocent bloom from her nature by a premature acquaintance with the darker side of life, which comes soon enough to all of us. — Louisa May Alcott

A lover is not worth having if he's not in earnest. — Louisa May Alcott

It's lovely to see people so happy. — Louisa May Alcott

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

I can get on with wild beasts first-rate; but men rile me awfully ... — Louisa May Alcott

Conceit spoils the finest genius. — Louisa May Alcott

Come, Philander, let us be a marching, Every one his true love a searching,
Would be the most appropriate motto for this chapter, because, intimidated by the threats, denunciations, and complaints showered upon me in consequence of taking the liberty to end a certain story as I liked, I now yield to the amiable desire of giving satisfaction, and, at the risk of outraging all the unities, intend to pair off everybody I can lay my hands on. — Louisa May Alcott

The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely. — Louisa May Alcott

Jo carried her love of liberty and hate of conventionalities to such and unlimited extent that she naturally found herself worsted in an argument. — Louisa May Alcott

I don't see why God made any night; day is so much pleasanter ... — Louisa May Alcott

There is very little real liberty in the world; even those who seem freest are often the most tightly bound. Law, custom, public opinion, fear or shame make slaves of us all, as you will find when you try your experiment, said Tempest with a bitter smile.
Law and custom I know nothing of, public opinion I despise, and shame and fear I defy, for everyone has a right to be happy in their own way. — Louisa May Alcott

And now, having endeavoured to suit everyone by many weddings, few deaths, and as much prosperity as the eternal fitness of things will permit, let the music stop, the lights die out, and the curtain fall for ever on the March family. — Louisa May Alcott

Hope and keep busy', — Louisa May Alcott

I think anxiety is very interesting, observed Amy, eating sugar pensively. — Louisa May Alcott

take up your little burdens again, for though they seem heavy sometimes, they are good for us, and lighten as we learn to carry them. — Louisa May Alcott

(D)espair never lives long in young hearts — Louisa May Alcott

I had a pleasant time with my mind, for it was happy. — Louisa May Alcott

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. — Louisa May Alcott

Let's hear the sound of the baby pianny. — Louisa May Alcott

Rule yourself. Love your neighbor. Do the duty that lies nearest you. — Louisa May Alcott

Half done, she left her establishment topsy-turvy — Louisa May Alcott

Meg's high-heeled slippers were dreadfully tight, and hurt her, though she would not own it; and Jo's nineteen hair-pins all seemed stuck straight into her head, which was not exactly comfortable; but, dear me, let us be elegant or die. — Louisa May Alcott

John was a mild man, but he was human, and after a long day's work to come home tired, hungry, and hopeful, to find a chaotic house, an empty table, and a cross wife was not exactly conducive to repose of mind or manner. — Louisa May Alcott

She is too fond of books and it has addled her mind. — Louisa May Alcott

I keep turning over new leaves, and spoiling them, as I used to spoil my copybooks; and I make so many beginnings there never will be an end. (Jo March) — Louisa May Alcott

But young as she was, Jo had learned that hearts, like flowers, cannot be rudely handled, but must open naturally, so though she believed she knew the cause of Beth's new pain, she only said, in her tenderest tone, Does anything trouble you, deary? — Louisa May Alcott

I shall have to toil and moil all my days, with only little bits of fun now and then, and get old and ugly and sour, because I'm poor, and can't enjoy my life as other girls do. It's a shame! — Louisa May Alcott

It takes two flints to make a fire. — Louisa May Alcott

I want my daughters to be beautiful, accomplished, and good; to be admired, loved, and respected; to have a happy youth, to be well and wisely married, and to lead useful, pleasant lives, with as little care and sorrow to try them as God sees fit to send. To be loved and chosen by a good man is the best and sweetest thing which can happen to a woman; and I sincerely hope my girls may know this beautiful experience.
Marmee
Little Women — Louisa May Alcott

Well, if I can't be happy, I can be useful, perhaps. — Louisa May Alcott

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. — Louisa May Alcott

Very tough, but it is that very struggle with obstacles which does us good. Things have been made easy for you in many ways, but no one can do everything. You must paddle your own canoe now, and learn to avoid the rapids and steer straight to the port you want to reach. I don't know just what your temptations will be for you have no bad habits and seem to love music so well, nothing can lure you from it. I only hope you won't work too hard. — Louisa May Alcott

Is that my boy?'
As sure as this is my girl! — Louisa May Alcott

And I make so many beginnings there never will be an end. — Louisa May Alcott

Mine first --mine last-- mine even in the grave! — Louisa May Alcott

And mother-like, Mrs. Jo forgot the threatened chastisement in tender lamentations over the happy scapegrace ... — Louisa May Alcott

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

If all literary women had such thoughtful angels for husbands, they would live longer and write more. Perhaps that wouldn't be such a blessing to the world though, as most of us write too much now,' said Mrs. Jo ... — Louisa May Alcott

You may try your experiment for a week and see how you like it. I think by Saturday night you will find that all play and no work is as bad as all work and no play — Louisa May Alcott

Sometimes when we least expect it, a small cross proves a lovely crown, a seemingly unimportant event becomes a lifelong experience, or a stranger becomes a friend — Louisa May Alcott

Work is and always has been my salvation and I thank the Lord for it. — Louisa May Alcott

The trouble of overseeing a fidgety child when she wanted — Louisa May Alcott

CHAPTER FOURTEEN SECRETS Jo — Louisa May Alcott

Don't suggest that we are growing old, my Lord. We have only bloomed; and a very nice bouquet we make with our buds about us,' answered Mrs. Amy, shaking out the folds of her rosy muslin with much the air of dainty satisfaction the girl used to show in a new dress.
Not to mention our thorns and dead leaves,' added Jo, with a sigh; for life had never been very easy to her, and even now she had her troubles both within and without. — Louisa May Alcott

Money is the root of all evil, and yet it is such a useful root that we cannot get on without it any more than we can without potatoes. — Louisa May Alcott

Their best; get them out into the air; and cure their ills by the magnetism of more active, — Louisa May Alcott

Leave him free, and the mere sense of liberty would content him, joined to the knowledge that his presence was dear to those whom he loved best. — Louisa May Alcott

Kindness in looks and words and ways is true politeness, and any one can have it if they only try to treat other people as they like to be treated themselves. — Louisa May Alcott

You don't need scores of suitors. You need only one ... if he's the right one. — Louisa May Alcott

Elegance has a bad effect on my constitution. — Louisa May Alcott

Play. "A wonderful picture of home life, only we don't have such homes," said a big, prosperous-looking man to his wife, with a touch of regret in his voice. "Yes," agreed his young daughter, a tall, slender, graceful girl, as she snuggled down cosily into her fur coat and tucked a bunch of violets away from the touch — Louisa May Alcott

Beth ceased to fear him from that moment, and sat there talking to him as cozily as if she had known him all her life, for love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride. When — Louisa May Alcott

It does seem to me that some one might write stories that should be lively, natural and helpful tales in which the English should be good, the morals pure, and the characters such as we can love in spite of the faults that all may have. — Louisa May Alcott

It is an excellent plan to have some place where we can go to be quiet, when things vex or grieve us. — Louisa May Alcott

I intend to study love as well as medicine, for it is one of the most mysterious and remarkable diseases that afflict mankind, and the best way to understand it is to have it. I may catch it someday, and then I should like to know how to treat and cure it.
- Mac (Rose In Bloom) — Louisa May Alcott

Work is always my salvation and I will celebrate it. — Louisa May Alcott

The patience and the humility of the face she loved so well was a better lesson to Jo than the wisest lecture, the sharpest reproof. — Louisa May Alcott

Young people seldom turn out as one predicts, so it is of little use to expect anything,' said Mrs. Meg with a sigh. 'If our children are good and useful men and women, we should be satisfied; yet it's very natural to wish them to be brilliant and successful. — Louisa May Alcott

Ah, but it wasn't all right, and Jo did mind, for while the curly head lay on her arm a minute after her hard answer, she felt as if she had stabbed her dearest friend, and when he left her without a look behind him, she knew that the boy Laurie never would come again. — Louisa May Alcott

What do girls do who haven't any mothers to help them through their troubles? — Louisa May Alcott

How little it takes to make a young girl happy! A pretty dress, sunshine, and somebody opposite, and they are blest. — Louisa May Alcott

Work is wholesome, and there is plenty for everyone. It keeps us from ennui and mischief, is good for health and spirits, and gives us a sense of power and independence better than money or fashion. — Louisa May Alcott

All is fish that comes to the literary net. Goethe puts his joys and sorrows into poems, I turn my adventures into bread and butter. — Louisa May Alcott

You do me proud, Captain. But, dear, I want to say one thing and then I'm done; for you don't need much advice of mine after my good man has spoken. I read somewhere that every inch of rope in the British Navy has a strand of red in it, so wherever a bit of it is found it is known. That is the text of my little sermon to you. Virtue, which means honour, honesty, courage, and all that makes character, is the red thread that marks a good man wherever he is. Keep that always and everywhere, so that even if wrecked by misfortune, that sign shall still be found and recognized. Yours is a rough life, and your mates not all we could wish, but you can be a gentleman in the true sense of the word; and no matter what happens to your body, keep your soul clean, your heart true to those who love you, and do your duty to the end. — Louisa May Alcott

But I am afraid I don't, — Louisa May Alcott

November is the most disagreeable month in the whole year," said Margaret, standing at the window one dull afternoon, looking out at the frostbitten garden.
"That's the reason I was born in it," observed Jo pensively, quite unconscious of the blot on her nose. — Louisa May Alcott

They always looked back before turning the corner, for their mother was always at the window to nod and smile, and wave her hand to them. Somehow it seemed as if they couldn't have got through the day without that, for whatever their mood might be, the last glimpse of that motherly face was sure to affect them like sunshine. — Louisa May Alcott

My father taught in the wise way which unfolds what lies in the child — Louisa May Alcott

laughter. "Glad to find you so merry, my girls," said a cheery — Louisa May Alcott

Life and love are very precious when both are in full bloom. — Louisa May Alcott

She would make a man of me. She puts strength and courage into me as no one else can. She is unlike any girl I ever saw; there's no sentimentality about her; she is wise, and kind, and sweet. She says what she means, looks you straight in the eye, and is as true as steel. — Louisa May Alcott

When I had youth I had no money; now I have the money I have no time; and when I get the time, if I ever do, I shall have no health to enjoy life. I suppose it's the discipline I need; but it's rather hard to love the things I do, and see them go by because duty chains me to my galley. If I ever come into port with all sails set, that will be my reward perhaps. — Louisa May Alcott

The mixture of German and American spirit in them produces a constant state of effervescence. — Louisa May Alcott

What do you want?" and Rose looked up rather surprised.
"I'd like to borrow some money. I shouldn't think of asking you, only Mac never has a cent since he's set up his old chemical shop, where he'll blow himself to bits some day and you and Uncle will have the fun of putting him together again," and Steve tried to look as if the idea amused him. — Louisa May Alcott

Men seldom do, for when women are the advisers, the lords of creation don't take the advice till they have persuaded themselves that it is just what they intended to do. — Louisa May Alcott

When the writing fit came on, she gave herself up to it with entire abandon, and led a blissful life, unconscious of want, care, or bad weather, while she sat safe and happy in an imaginary world, full of friends almost as real and dear to her as any in the flesh. — Louisa May Alcott

To be strong, and beautiful, and go round making music all the time. Yes, she could do that, and with a very earnest prayer Polly asked for the strength of an upright soul, the beauty of a tender heart, the power to make her life a sweet and stirring song, helpful while it lasted, remembered when it died. — Louisa May Alcott

Girls could do most things as well as boys, and some things better. — Louisa May Alcott

No, Mother, it is better as it is, and I'm glad Amy has learned to love him. But you are right in one thing. I am lonely, and perhaps if Teddy had tried again, I might have said 'Yes,' not because I love him any more, but because I care more to be loved than when he went away. — Louisa May Alcott

Where the heart is the mind works best. — Louisa May Alcott

Books have been my greatest comfort, castle-building a never-failing delight, and scribbling a very profitable amusement. — Louisa May Alcott

I rather miss my wild girl; but if I get a strong, helpful, tender-hearted woman in her place, I shall feel quite satisfied. — Louisa May Alcott

I'll try to be what Father loves to call me, a 'little woman,' and not be rough and wild but do my duty here instead of wanting to be somewhere else. — Louisa May Alcott

She laughed at herself for this fancy at first; but not possessing the sweet unconsciousness of those heroines who can live through three volumes with a burning passion before their eyes, and never see it till the proper moment comes, — Louisa May Alcott

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 bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success. — Louisa May Alcott

There are plenty to love you so try to be satisfied with Father and Mother, Sisters and Brothers, friends and babies till the best lover of all comes to give you your reward. — Louisa May Alcott

... 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. — Louisa May Alcott

To the great delight of two ducks, four cats, five hens and half a dozen Irish children; for they were out of the city for now. — Louisa May Alcott

And the most intense desire gave force to her passionate words as the girl glanced despairingly about the dreary room like a caged creature on the point of breaking loose. — Louisa May Alcott

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. — Louisa May Alcott

Souls and bodies should go on together. — Louisa May Alcott

Mrs March knew that experience was an excellent teacher, and, when it was possible, she left her children to learn alone the lessons which she would gladly have made easier, if they had not objected to taking advice as much as they did salts and senna.* — Louisa May Alcott

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. — Louisa May Alcott