Quotes from Louisa May Alcott

I've had a lot of troubles, so I write jolly tales.

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.

the child's heart bled when it was broken.

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.

It is a merciful provision my dears, for it takes three or four women to get each man into, through, and out of the world. You are costly creatures, boys, and it is well that mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters love their duty and do it so well, or you would perish off the face of the earth,' said Mrs. Jo solemnly…

He looked at her an instant, for the effect of the graceful girlish figure with pale, passionate face and dark eyes full of sorrow, pride and resolution was wonderfully enhanced by the gloom of the great room, and glimpses of a gathering storm in the red autumn sky.

Boys don't gush, so I can stand it. The last time I let in a party of girls, one fell into my arms and said, Darling, love me! I wanted to shake her,' answered Mrs. Jo, wiping her pen with energy.

El mundo esta lleno de mujeres como Beth, timidas y tranquilas, que aguardan sentadas en un rincon hasta que alguien las necesita, que se entregan a los demas con tanta alegria que nadie ve su sacrificio hasta que el pequeño grillo del hogar cesa de chirriar y la dulce soledad desaparece para dejar tras de si silencio y oscuridad.

I keep turning over new leaves, and spoiling them, as I used to spoil my copy-books; and I make so many beginnings there never will be an end, he said, dolefully.

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

and I make so many beginnings there never will be an end.

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

The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him

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.

But, you see, Jo wasn't a heroine, she was only a struggling human girl like hundreds of others, and she just acted out her nature, being sad, cross, listless, or energetic, as the mood suggested. It's highly virtuous to say we'll be good, but we can't do it all at once, and it takes a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all together before some of us even get our feet set in the right way.

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

There is always light behind the clouds

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.

Don't take it away! It's only a fancy, but a man must love something…

How beautiful that is! said Laurie softly, for he was quick to see and feel beauty of any kind.

Six weeks is a long time to wait, and a still longer time for a girl to keep a secret…

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…

It's selfish of you to keep teasing for what I can't give. I shall always be fond of you, very fond indeed, as a friend, but I'll never marry you, and the sooner you believe it the better for both of us.

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.