Quotes from Louisa May Alcott

There are many Beth's in the world, who and quiet, sitting in corners till needed, and living for others so cheerfully, that no one sees the sacrifices till the little cricket on the hearth stops chirping, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind.

It was the best thing he could have done, far more soothing than the most eloquent words, for Jo felt the unspoken sympathy, and in the silence learned the sweet solace which affection administers to sorrow.

Criticism is the best test of such work, for it will show her both unsuspected merits and faults, and help her to do better next time. We are too partial; but the praise and blame of outsiders will prove useful...

At twenty-five, girls begin to talk about being old maids, but secretly resolve that they never will be. At thirty they say nothing about it, but quietly accept the fact, and if sensible, console themselves by remembering that they have twenty more useful, happy years, in which they may be learning to grow old gracefully.

People want to be amused, not preached at, you know. Morals don't sell nowadays.

Neither should it be for a woman: for we've got minds and souls as well as hearts; ambition and talents as well as beauty and accomplishments; and we want to live and learn as well as love and be loved.

It's wicked to throw away so many good gifts because you can't have the one you want.

Now, if you make fun of my plan I'll give you bad coffee for a week, and then where are you, sir? cried Mrs. Jo, tweaking him by the ear just as if he was one of the boys.

Always mature for her age, she had gained a certain aplomb in both carriage and conversation, which made her seem more of a woman of the world than she was, but her old petulance now and then showed itself, her strong will still held its own, and her native frankness was unspoiled by foreign polish.

I'm not Meg tonight, I'm a 'doll'.

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, and meanwhile, found her greatest affliction in the fact that she couldn't read, run and ride as much as she liked.

Life is a fight, and I like a good soldier.

She is too fond of books and it has addled her mind.

Rome took all the vanity out of me,for after seeing the wonders there, I felt too insignificant to live, and gave up all my foolish hopes in dispare.

El deseo verdadero de cambiar supone tener media batalla ganada.

Learn to know and value the praise which is worth having, and to excite the admiration of excellent people by being modest as well as pretty, Meg.

the sweetness of self-denial and self-control

for the parents who have 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.

Do you think Meg cares for him? asked Mrs. March, with an anxious look. Mercy me! I don't know anything about love and such nonsense! cried Jo, with a funny mixture of interest and contempt. In novels, the girls show it by starting and blushing, fainting away, growing thin, and acting like fools. Now Meg does not do anything of the sort. She eats and drinks and sleeps like a sensible creature.

You don't give her up. You only go halves.

You have been running, Jo. How could you? When will you stop such romping ways?" "Never till I'm stiff and old and have to use a crutch. Don't try to make me grow up before my time, Meg. It's hard enough to have you change all of a sudden. Let me be a little girl as long as I can.

Now I am beginning to live a little and feel less like a sick oyster at low tide.

Our burdens are here, our road is before us

I'm not afraid, but it seems as if I should be home-sick for you even in heaven