Quotes from Louisa May Alcott

There should always be one old maid in a family.

Oh, that is the surprise. It's so lovely, I pity you because you don't know it…

It dawned upon her gradually that the world was being picked to pieces, and put together on new and, according to the talkers, on infinitely better principles than before, that religion was in a fair way to be reasoned into nothingness, and intellect was to be the only God.

I can't love anyone else; and I'll never forget you, Jo, never! never! with a stamp to emphasize his passionate words. - Laurie

Samoljublje kvari i najve?e genije.

I beg leave to assure my honored readers that most of the incidents are taken from real life, and that the oddest are the truest; for no person, no matter how vivid an imagination he may have, can invent anything half so droll as the freaks and fancies that originate in the lively brains of little people.

You see, she learned to love him one summer (...) so she put her love away in a corner of her heart, and tried to forget it, hoping it would either die, or have a right to live.

I am angry nearly every day of my life, but I have learned not to show it; and I still try to hope not to feel it, though it may take me another forty years to do it. - Louisa May Alcott

Rich people have no right to sit down and enjoy themselves, or let their money accumulate for others to waste. It's not half so sensible to leave legacies when one dies as it is to use the money wisely while alive, and enjoy making one's fellow creatures happy with it.

It may be vain and wrong to say it, but- I'm afraid- Laurie is getting too fond of me. Then you don't care for him in the way it is evident he begins to care for you? And Mrs March looked anxious as she put the question. Mercy, no! I love the dear boy, as I always have, and am immensely proud of him, but as for anything more, it's out of the question.

Who are your heroes? asked Jo. Grandfather and Napoleon. Which lady here do you think prettiest? said Sallie. Margaret. Which do you like best? from Fred. Jo, of course.

Go on with your work as usual, for work is a blessed solace. Hope and keep busy, and whatever happens, remember that you never can be fatherless.

I want my daughters to be beautiful, accomplished, and good; to be admired, loved, and respected; to have 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.

Fame is a pearl many dive for and only a few bring up. Even when they do, it is not perfect, and they sigh for more, and lose better things in struggling for them.

Tom sat scowling over a pile of dilapidated books with his hand in his hair, as if his head was in danger of flying asunder with the tremendous effort he was making.

I know I do—teaching those tiresome children nearly all day, when I'm longing to enjoy myself at home, began Meg, in the complaining tone again.

In spite of her small vanities, Margaret had a sweet and pious nature, which unconsciously influenced her sisters, especially Jo, who loved her very tenderly, and obeyed her because her advice was so gently given.

Sometimes when we least expect it, a small cross proves a lovely crown, a seemingly unimportant event becomes a lifelong experience, or a stranger becomes a friend

You men tell us we are angels, and say we can make you what we will, but the instant we honestly try to do you good, you laugh at us and won't listen, which proves how much your flattery is worth.

For the parents who had taught one child to meet death without fear, were trying now to teach another to accept life without despondency or distrust, and to use its beautiful opportunities with gratitude and power.

both were learning that beauty, youth, good fortune, even love itself, cannot keep care and pain, loss and sorrow, from the most blessed for into each life some rain must fall, Some days must be dark and sad and dreary.

People want to be amused, not preached at, you know. Morals don't sell nowadays. Which was not quite a correct statement, by the way.

You, you are, you're a great deal too good for me, and I'm so grateful to you, and so proud and fond of you, I don't know why I can't love you as you want me to. I've tried, but I can't change the feeling, and it would be a lie to say I do when I don't.

I can't help it. You know it's impossible for people to make themselves love other people if they don't, Cried Jo inelegantly but remorsefully, as she softly patted his shoulder, remembering the time when he had comforted her so long ago.