Louisa May Alcott Little Women Quotes & Sayings

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

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

Well, I am happy, and I won't fret, but it does seem as if the more one gets the more one wants ... — Louisa May Alcott

The dirt is picturesque, so I don't mind. — Louisa May Alcott

Four little chests all in a row,
Dim with dust, and worn by time,
Four women, taught by weal and woe
To love and labor in their prime. "
"Four sisters, parted for an hour,
None lost, one only gone before,
Made by love's immortal power,
Nearest and dearest evermore. — Louisa May Alcott

The structure of 'March' was laid down for me before the first line was written, because my character has to exist within Louisa May Alcott's 'Little Women' plotline. — Geraldine Brooks

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

By the time the lecture ended and the audience awoke, she had built up a splendid fortune for herself (not the first founded on paper) ... — Louisa May Alcott

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

I am lonely, sometimes, but I dare say it's good for me ... — Louisa May Alcott

I don't believe fine young ladies enjoy themselves a bit more than we do, in spite of our burned hair, old gowns, one glove apiece, and tight slippers that sprain our ankles when we are silly enough to wear them. — Louisa May Alcott

If you feel your value lies in being merely decorative, I fear that someday you might find yourself believing that's all that you really are. Time erodes all such beauty, but what it cannot diminish is the wonderful workings of your mind: Your humor, your kindness, and your moral courage. These are the things I cherish so in you. I so wish I could give my girls a more just world. But I know you'll make it a better place.
Marmee, Little Women — Louisa May Alcott

The clocks were striking midnight and the rooms were very still as a figure glided quietly from bed to bed, smoothing a coverlid here, settling a pillow there, and pausing to look long and tenderly at each unconscious face, to kiss each with lips that mutely blessed, and to pray the fervent prayers which only mothers utter. — Louisa May Alcott

... I can't help seeing that you are very lonely, and sometimes there is a hungry look in your eyes that goes to my heart. — Louisa May Alcott

Six weeks is a long time to wait, and a still longer time for a girl to keep a secret ... — Louisa May Alcott

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 and wait for it, and wise to prepare for it; so that when the happy time comes, you may feel ready for the duties and worthy of the joy. — Louisa May Alcott

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

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

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

A year seems very long to wait before I see them, but remind them that while we wait we may all work, so these hard days need not be wasted. I know they will remember all I said to them, that they will be loving children to you, will do their duty faithfully, fight their bosom enemies bravely, and conquer themselves so beautifully that when I come back to them I may be fonder and prouder than ever of my little women. — Louisa May Alcott

Jo's ambition was to do something very splendid; what it was she had no idea, as yet, but left it for time to tell her ... — Louisa May Alcott

Never take advice! — Louisa May Alcott

I thought of all the summer evenings I'd spent sitting in the chairs under the trees beside the trailer, reading books that helped me escape Creek View, at least for a little while. Magical kingdoms, Russian love triangles, and the March sisters couldn't have been further away from the trailer park. — Heather Demetrios

... Jo valued the letter more than the money, because it was encouraging, and after years of effort it was so pleasant to find that she had learned to do something ... — Louisa May Alcott

Ah! Thou gifest me such hope and courage, and I haf nothing to gif back but a full heart and these empty hands," cried the Professor, quite overcome.
Jo never, never would learn to be proper, for when he said that as they stood upon the steps, she just put both hands into his, whispering tenderly, "Not empty now," and, stooping down, kissed her Friedrich under the umbrella. — 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

Jo had learned that hearts, like flowers, cannot be rudely handled, but must open naturally ... — Louisa May Alcott

... feeling as if all the happiness and support of their lives was about to be taken from them. — Louisa May Alcott

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

I'm not ambitious for a splendid fortune, a fashionable position, or a great name for my girls. If rank and money come with love and virtue also, I should accept them gratefully, and enjoy your good fortune; but I know, by experience, how much genuine happiness can be had in a plain little house, where the daily bread is earned, and some privations give sweetness to the few pleasures. — Louisa May Alcott

Prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. — Louisa May Alcott

Who are your heroes?" asked Jo.
"Grandfather and Napoleon. — Louisa May Alcott

Never mind. Little girls shouldn't ask questions,' returned Jo sharply.
Now if there is anything mortifying to our feelings when we are young, it is to be told that; and to be bidden to 'run away, dear' is still more trying to us. — Louisa May Alcott

... in silence learned the sweet solace which affection administers to sorrow. — Louisa May Alcott

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

Money is a needful and precious thing — Louisa May Alcott

Let the world know you are alive! — Abigail May Alcott

Girls write to ask who the little women marry, as if that was the only aim and end of a woman's life. I won't marry Jo to Laurie to please anyone. — Louisa May Alcott

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

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

... tomorrow was her birthday, and she was thinking how fast the years went by, how old she was getting, and how little she seemed to have accomplished. Almost twenty-five and nothing to show for it. — 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

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

I find it poor logic to say that because women are good, women should vote. Men do not vote because they are good; they vote because they are male, and women should vote, not because we are angels and men are animals, but because we are human beings and citizens of this country. — Louisa May Alcott

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

Go on with your work as usual, for work is a blessed solace. — Louisa May Alcott

I'd rather take coffee than compliments just now. — Louisa May Alcott

... the little girls wore a grave, troubled expression, as if sorrow was a new experience to them. — Louisa May Alcott

Christopher Columbus — Louisa May Alcott

... she was one of those happily created beings who please without effort, make friends everywhere, and take life so gracefully and easily that less fortunate souls are tempted to believe that such are born under a lucky star. — Louisa May Alcott

I hate ordinary people! — Louisa May Alcott

... if men and women would only trust, understand, and help one another as my children do, what a capital place the world would be!' and Mrs. Jo's eyes grew absent, as if she was looking at a new and charming state of society in which people lived as happily and innocently as her flock at Plumfield. — Louisa May Alcott

I'm afraid I couldn't like him without a spice of human naughtiness. — Louisa May Alcott

... Jo loved a few persons very dearly and dreaded to have their affection lost or lessened in any way. — Louisa May Alcott

... possessed of that indescribable charm called grace. — Louisa May Alcott

He was neither rich nor great, young nor handsome, - in no respect what is called fascinating, imposing or brilliant; and yet he was as attractive as a genial fire, and people seemed to gather about him as naturally as about a warm hearth. — Louisa May Alcott

Wealth is certainly a most desirable thing, but poverty has its sunny side, and one of the sweet uses of adversity is the genuine satisfaction which comes from hearty work of head or hand, and to the inspiration of necessity, we owe half the wise, beautiful, and useful blessings of the world. — Louisa May Alcott

Love will make you show your heart someday... — Louisa May Alcott

When we make little sacrifices we like to have them appreciated, at least ... — Louisa May Alcott

I think she is growing up, and so begins to dream dreams, and have hopes and fears and fidgets, without knowing why or being able to explain them. — 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

... the day had been both unprofitable and unsatisfactory, and he was wishing he could live it over again. — Louisa May Alcott

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

There was a good deal of laughing, and kissing, and explaining, in the simple, loving fashion which makes these home festivals so pleasant at the time, so sweet to remember long afterward, then all fell to work.
Little Women, Louisa May Alcott — Louisa May Alcott

... on some occasions, women, like dreams, go by contraries. — Louisa May Alcott

What lady do you think prettiest?" Said Sallie.
"Margaret."
"Which do you like the best?"
"Jo, of course."
"What silly questions you ask!" and Jo gave a disdainful shrug as the rest laughed at Laurie's matter-of-fact tone — Louisa May Alcott

It's genius simmering, perhaps. I'll let it simmer, and see what comes of it, he said, with a secret suspicion all the while that it wasn't genius, but something far more common. Whatever it was, it simmered to some purpose, for he grew more and more discontented with his desultory life, began to long for some real and earnest work to go at, soul and body, and finally came to the wise conclusion that everyone who loved music was not a composer. — Louisa May Alcott