L M 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Young things like you don't need any ornaments but those you wear to-night: youth, health, intelligence, and modesty. — 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

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

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