Quotes from Louisa May Alcott

Then let me advise you to 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. 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. We'll

Jo couldn't even lose her heart in a decorous manner, but sternly tried to quench her feelings, and failing to do so, led a somewhat agitated life. She was mortally afraid of being laughed at for surrendering, after her many and vehement declarations of independence.

Do you consider shoes unhealthy? he asked, surveying the socks with respectful interest

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

trying to extinguish the brilliant hopes that blazed up a word of encouragement.

possessed of that indescribable charm called grace.

As lifted the curtain to look out into the dreary night, the moon broke suddenly from behind the clouds, and shone upon her like a bright, benignant face, which seemed to whisper in the silence, 'Be comforted, dear soul! There is always light behind the clouds.

Her father called her 'Little Tranquillity', and the name suited her excellently; for she seemed to live in a happy world of her own, only venturing out to meet the few whom she trusted and loved.

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.

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.

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.

A kiss for a blow is always best, though it's not very easy to give it sometimes.

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. Tommy

If she really had any doubt, the look in Dr. Alec's face banished it without a word, as he opened wide his arms and she ran into them, feeling that home was here.

We all have our temptations, some far greater than yours, and it often takes us all our lives to conquer them.

Mrs. Jo sat smiling over her book as she built castles in the air, just as she used to do when a girl, only then they were for herself, and now they were for other people, which is the reason perhaps that some of them came to pass in reality — for charity is an excellent foundation to build anything upon.

V)irtue, like sunshine, works its own sweet miracles

young minds cannot be driven…

Earth hath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal;

When you feel out of sorts, try to make some one else happy, and you will soon be so yourself.

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

The young people were playing that still more absorbing game in which hearts are always trumps.

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.

Thank goodness, I can always find something funny to keep me up.