Alcott Quotes & Sayings

Father asked us what was God's noblest work. Anna said men, but I said babies. Men are often bad, but babies never are. — Louisa May Alcott

I can't get over my disappointment in not being a boy, and it's worse than ever now, for I'm dying to go and fight with Papa, and I can only stay home and knit like a poky old woman (Josephine) — Louisa May Alcott

Taking a remorseful satisfaction in the snowy walk and bitter wind. — Louisa May Alcott

Young people think they never can change, but they do in the most wonderful manner, and very few die of broken hearts. — Louisa May Alcott

When I had the 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. — Louisa May Alcott

If life is often so hard as this, I don't see how we ever shall get through it ... — Louisa May Alcott

Good-humor, gay spirits, are the liberators, the sure cure for spleen and melancholy. Deeper than tears, these irradiate the tophets with their glad heavens. Go laugh, vent the pits, transmuting imps into angels by the alchemy of smiles. The satans flee at the sight of these redeemers. — Amos Bronson Alcott

John Brooke is acting dreadfully, and Meg likes it! — Louisa May Alcott

O Christie! never think it's time to die till you are called; for the Lord leaves us till we have done our work, and never sends more sin and sorrow than we can bear and be the better for, if we hold fast by Him. — Louisa May Alcott

Travel makes all men countrymen, makes people noblemen and kings, every man tasting of liberty and dominion. — Amos Bronson 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 check on itself, evil subserves the economies of good, as it were a condiment to give relish to good. — Amos Bronson Alcott

One's outlook is a part of his virtue. — Amos Bronson Alcott

To be ignorant of one's ignorance is the malady of the ignorant. — Amos Bronson Alcott

I read somewhere that every inch of rope used in the British Navy has a strand of red in it, so that 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. — Louisa May Alcott

I'm glad of it, that's one of your foolish extravagances, sending flowers and things to girls for whom you don't care two pins," continued Jo reprovingly. "Sensible girls for whom I do care whole papers of pins won't let me send them 'flowers and things', so what can I do? My feelings need a 'vent'. — Louisa May Alcott

... marriage, they say, halves one's rights and doubles one's duties. — Louisa May Alcott

First find the man in yourself if you will inspire manliness in others. — Amos Bronson Alcott

Mother didn't say anything about our money, and she won't wish us to give up everything. Let's each buy what we want, and have a little fun; I'm sure we work hard enough to earn it, cried Jo, examining the heels of her shoes in a gentlemanly manner. — Louisa May Alcott

The girls flew about, trying to make things comfortable, each in her own way. Meg arranged the tea table, Jo brought wood and set chairs, dropping, over-turning, and clattering everything she touched. Beth trotted to and fro between parlor kitchen, quiet and busy, while Amy gave directions to everyone, as she sat with her hands folded. — Louisa May Alcott

For they were enjoying the happy hour that seldom comes but once in any life, the magical moment which bestows youth on the old, beauty on the plain, wealth on the poor, and gives human hearts a foretaste of heaven. — Louisa May Alcott

Hope and keep busy', — Louisa May Alcott

I know whom I shall marry. He must be handsome, young, clever enough, and very rich-ever so much richer than the Lawrences. His family musn't object, and I shall be very happy, for they shall be kind, sell-bred, genrous people, and they shall like me. He shall be the oldest and have the estate, and should be a city house in a fashionable street, and twice as comfortable as anything and full of solid luxury. One of us must marry well; Meg didn't, Jo didn't, Beth can't yet, so I shall, and make everything cozy all around. — Louisa May Alcott

What shall you do all your vacation?', asked Amy. "I shall lie abed and do nothing", replied Meg. — Louisa May Alcott

A child her wayward pencil drew
On margins of her book;
Garlands of flower, dancing elves,
Bud, butterfly, and brook,
Lessons undone, and plum forgot,
Seeking with hand and heart
The teacher whom she learned to love
Before she knew t'was Art. — Louisa May Alcott

Salt is like good-humor, and nearly every thing is better for a pinch of it. — Louisa May Alcott

Into each life some rain must fall, Somedays must be dark and sad and dreary. — Louisa May Alcott

Don't shut yourself up in a band box because you are a woman, but understand what is going on, and educate yourself to take part in the world's work, for it all affects you and yours. — Louisa May Alcott

... she'll go and fall in love, and there's an end of peace and fun, and cozy times together. — Louisa May Alcott

It's very singular how hard it is to manage your mind,' said Demi, clasping his hands round his knees, and looking up at the sky as if for information upon his favorite topic. — Louisa May Alcott

A man defines his standing at the court of chastity by his views of women. — Amos Bronson Alcott

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

You think then, that it is better to have a few duties and live a little for others, do you? — Louisa May Alcott

The fun and fame do not last, while the memory of a real helper is kept green long after poetry is forgotten and music silent. — Louisa May Alcott

girls," said a cheery voice at the door, and actors and audience — Louisa May Alcott

Oh, Jo, how could you? Your one beauty. — Louisa May Alcott

Love is a beautifier. — Louisa May Alcott

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

... and Aunt Jo retired, satisfied with the success of her last trap to catch a sunbeam. — Louisa May Alcott

Concentrate, play your game, and don't be afraid to win. — Amy Alcott

Some people seemed to get all sunshine, and some all shadow ... — Louisa May Alcott

If people really want to go, and really try all their lives, I think they will get in; for I don't believe there are any locks on that door, or any guards at the gate. I always imagine it is as it is in the picture, where the shining ones stretch out their hands to welcome poor Christian as he comes up from the river. — Louisa May Alcott

Time is one's best friend, teaching best of all the wisdom of silence. — Amos Bronson Alcott

Mrs. Jo did not mean the measles, but that more serious malady called love, which is apt to ravage communities, spring and autumn, when winter gayety and summer idleness produce whole bouquets of engagements, and set young people to pairing off like the birds. — Louisa May Alcott

It is my opinion that this day will never come to an end, said Prince, with a yawn that nearly rent him assunder. — Louisa May Alcott

Debate is masculine, conversation is feminine. — Amos Bronson Alcott

I like adventures, and I'm going to find some. — Louisa May Alcott

Creative people live in mortal fear of tossing their seed on barren ground. — Kate Alcott

But, Polly, a principle that can't bear being laughed at, frowned on, and cold-shouldered, isn't worthy of the name. — Louisa May Alcott

Earth hath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal; — Louisa May Alcott

She began to see that character is a better possession than money, rank, intellect, or beauty, and to feel that if greatness is what a wise man has defined it to be, 'truth, reverence, and good will,' then her friend Friedrich Bhaer was not only good, but great. — Louisa May Alcott

Help one another, was a favorite Plumfield motto, and Nat learned how much sweetness is added to life by trying to live up to it. — Louisa May Alcott

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

You love him still and struggle against your love, feeling that it will undo you. He knows this and he will tempt you by every lure he can devise, every deceit he can employ. Sorrow and sin will surely follow if you yield; happiness never can be yours with him; doubt, remorse and self-reproach will kill love, and a time will come when you will find that in gaining a brief joy you have lost your peace forever. Oh, Agatha, be warned in time, do not listen to your own weak heart but to the conscience that nothing can bribe or silence. — 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

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. — Louisa May Alcott

And it's not red, it's auburn, and I'm not feisty or tempestuous or any of the other things red hair is supposed to signify. Anyways, as I said, it's auburn. — Kate Alcott

Success is sweet: the sweeter if long delayed and attained through manifold struggles and defeats. — Amos Bronson Alcott

Ah, if I could only feel assured that it was right and not a blind impulse of a weak woman's heart!'" ~Rosamond — Louisa May Alcott

His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness and strength. — Louisa May Alcott

That's loving our neighbor better than ourselves, and I like it. — Louisa May Alcott

Mac looked up with the oddest of all his odd expressions — Louisa May Alcott

I sell my children, and though they feed me, they don't love me as hers do. — Louisa May Alcott

While one finds company in himself and his pursuits, he cannot feel old, no matter what his years may be. — Amos Bronson Alcott

Finish it if you choose only remember, my girl, that one may read at forty what is unsafe at twenty, and that we never can be too careful what food we give that precious yet perilous thing called imagination. — Louisa May Alcott

WHERE 'S Polly?" asked Fan one snowy afternoon, as she came into the dining-room where Tom was reposing on the sofa with his boots in the air, absorbed in one of those delightful books in which boys are cast away on desert islands, where every known fruit, vegetable and flower is in its prime all the year round; or, lost in boundless forests, where the young heroes have thrilling adventures, kill impossible beasts, and, when the author's invention gives out, suddenly find their way home, laden with tiger skins, tame buffaloes and other pleasing trophies of their prowess. — Louisa May Alcott

I never thought I should like to wash dishes, but I do, said Rose, as she sat in a boat after supper lazily rinsing plates in the sea, and rocking luxuriously as she wiped them. — Louisa May Alcott

... growing pale and sober with the thought that her fate was soon to be decided; for, like all young people, she was sure that her whole life could be settled by one human creature, quite forgetting how wonderfully Providence trains us by disappointment, surprises us with unexpected success, and turns our seeming trials into blessing. — Louisa May Alcott

Flying far out to sea, and happy all alone. Meg is the turtledove, — Louisa May Alcott

He never spoke of himself, and in a conversation with Miss Norton divulged the pleasing fact. From her Jo learned it, and liked it all the better because Mr. Bhaer had never told it. She felt proud to know that he was an honored Professor in Berlin, though only a poor language-master in America, and his homely, hard-working life was much beautified by the spice of romance which this discovery gave it. — Louisa May Alcott

None can teach admirably if not loving his task. — Amos Bronson Alcott

Nobody spoke for a minute; then Meg said in an altered tone, "You know the reason Mother proposed not having any presents this Christmas was because it is going to be a hard winter for everyone; and she thinks we ought not to spend money for pleasure, when our men are suffering so in the army. We can't do much, but we can make our little sacrifices, and ought to do it gladly. But I am afraid I don't," and Meg shook her head, as she thought regretfully of all the pretty things she wanted. — Louisa May Alcott

Madam de Stael pronounced architecture to be frozen music; so is statuary crystalized spirituality. — 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

It mattered little to anyone outside the Transcendental coterie that Bronson Alcott had finally written something publishable - his "Orphic Sayings" - for the opening issue; or that an unemployed schoolteacher named Henry David Thoreau had his first piece published in its pages. — Megan Marshall

Laurie, you're an angel! How shall I ever thank you?"
"Fly at me again. I rather liked it," said Laurie, looking
mischievous, a thing he had not done for a fortnight. — Louisa May Alcott

The moment Aunt March took her nap, or was busy with company, Jo hurried to this quiet place, and curling herself up in the easy chair, devoured poetry, romance, history, travels, and pictures like a regular bookworm. — Louisa May Alcott

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. — Louisa May Alcott

... often between ourselves and those nearest and dearest to us there exists a reserve which it is very hard to overcome. — Louisa May Alcott

You can go through the world with your elbows out and your nose in the air, and call it independence, if you like. That's not my way. — Louisa May Alcott

She said, hoping to soothe him with a little reason, which proved that she knew nothing about love. — Louisa May Alcott

Rivalry adds so much to the charms of one's conquests. — 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

Many argue; not many converse. — Louisa May Alcott

For with eyes made clear by many tears, and a heart softened by the tenderest sorrow, she recognized the beauty of her sister's life - uneventful, unambitious, yet full of the genuine virtues which 'smell sweet, and blossom in the dust', the self-forgetfulness that makes the humblest on earth remembered soonest in heaven, the true success which is possible to all. — Louisa May Alcott

Now and then, in this workaday world, things do happen in the delightful storybook fashion, and what a comfort that is. — Louisa May Alcott

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 — Louisa May Alcott

Many are those who can argue; few are those who can converse — Amos Bronson Alcott

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead. — Louisa May Alcott

Lounging and larking doesn't pay," observed Jo, shaking her head. "I'm tired of it and mean to go to work at something right off. — Louisa May Alcott

Man is a living lie
a bitter jest Upon himself
a conscious grain of sand Lost in a desert of unconsciousness. — Amos Bronson Alcott

Was sixteen, and very pretty, being plump and — Louisa May Alcott

Constant complaints were being made of incompetent attendants, and some dozen women did double duty, and then were blamed for breaking down. If any hospital director fancies this a good and economical arrangement, allow one used up nurse to tell him it isn't, and beg him to spare the sisterhood, who sometimes, in their sympathy, forget that they are mortal, and run the risk of being made immortal, sooner than is agreeable to their partial friends. — Louisa May Alcott

The sweetness of self-denial and self-control, — Louisa May Alcott

For it is the small temptations which undermine integrity unless we watch and pray and never think them too trivial to be resisted. — Louisa May Alcott

It looks beautiful from out here, but nothing glitters quite as much when you get close up. — Kate 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

Rose sat all alone in the big best parlor, with her little handkerchief laid ready to catch the first tear, for she was thinking of her troubles, and a shower was expected. She had retired to this room as a good place in which to be miserable; for it was dark and still, full of ancient furniture, somber curtains, and hung all around with portraits of solemn old gentlemen in wigs, severe-nosed ladies in top-heavy caps, and staring children in little bobtailed coats or short-waisted frocks. It was an excellent place for woe; amd the fitful spring rain that pattered on the windowpane seemed to sob,Cry away; I'm with you. — Louisa May Alcott

A faithful friend is a strong defense;
And he that hath found him hath found a treasure. — Louisa May Alcott

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. Then they act upon it, and, if it succeeds, they give the weaker vessel half the credit of it. If it fails, they generously give her the whole. — Louisa May Alcott