Quotes from Louisa May Alcott

Oh, Jo, can't you? Teddy, dear, I wish I could!

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.

We thought to weep, but sing for joy instead, Full of the grateful peace That follows her release; For nothing but the weary dust lies dead.

but mortal man was helpless there…

I suspect that the real attraction was a large library of fine books, which was left to dust and spiders since Uncle March died.

thirst is harder to bear than hunger, heat, or cold.

a woman's always safe and comfortable when a fellow's down on his luck.

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.

Happy the son whose faith in his mother remains unchanged, and who, through all his wanderings, has kept some filial token to repay her brave and tender love. Dan

It seems as if I could do anything when I'm in a passion. I get so savage, I could hurt anyone and enjoy it. I'm afraid I shall do something dreadful some day, and spoil my life, and make everybody hate me. Oh, Mother, help me, do help me!

And mother-like, Mrs. Jo forgot the threatened chastisement in tender lamentations over the happy scapegrace…

So every day is a battle, and I'm so tired I don't want to live; only it's cowardly to die till you have done something.

Jo knew nothing about philosophy or metaphysics of any sort, but a curious excitement, half pleasurable, half painful, came over her, as she listened with a sense of being turned adrift into time and space, like a young balloon out on a holiday.

Perhaps it would have been better if he had killed me; my life is spoilt.

MARCH, 1846-- I have at last got the little room I have wanted so long, and am very happy about it. It does me good to be alone, and Mother has made it very pretty and neat for me. My work-basket and desk are by the window, and my closet is full of dried herbs that smell very nice. The door that opens into the garden will be very pretty in summer, and I can run off to the woods when I like.

he stood behind her, tall and pale, like the ghost of his former self…

Laying her head on her arms, Jo wet her little romance with a few happy tears, for she had thought that no one saw and appreciated her efforts to be good; and this assurance was doubly precious, doubly encouraging, because unexpected, and from the person whose commendation she most valued.

I don't believe it's the right sort of love, and I'd rather not try it, was the decided answer.

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

a principle that can't bear being laughed at, frowned on, and cold-shouldered, is n't worthy of the name.

Christie loved books; and the attic next her own was full of them. To this store she found her way by a sort of instinct as sure as that which leads a fly to a honey-pot, and, finding many novels, she read her fill. This amusement lightened many heavy hours, peopled the silent house with troops of friends, and, for a time, was the joy of her life.

Ah, Jo, mothers may differ in their management, but the hope is the same in all – the desire to see their children happy." 'She began to see that character is a better possession than money, rank, intellect, or beauty…

she discovered that her feet were cold, her head ached, and that her heart was colder than the former, fuller of pain than the latter.

You may be a little older in years, but I'm ever so much older in feeling, Teddy.