Quotes from Louisa May Alcott

never sneer at good things or pretend to be worse than you are. Don't let false shame make you neglect the religion without which no man can live.

Read him well, and he will help you much, for the study of character in this book will help you to read it in the world and paint it with your pen.

Antes de morir espero hacer algo importante, algo heroico o maravilloso, que me permita seguir viva en el recuerdo. No sé qué es, pero no pararé hasta descubrirlo y, algún día, os asombraré a todas.

Mercy me! I don't know anything about love and such nonsense! Cried Jo, with a funny mixture of interest and contempt.

The girls put their wits to work, and - necessity being the mother of invention - made whatever they needed.

for he had plenty of money and nothing to do, and Satan is proverbially fond of providing employment for full and idle hands. The poor fellow had temptations enough from without and from within, but he withstood them pretty well, for much as he valued liberty, he valued good faith and confidence more

That is perfectly natural, and quite harmless, if the liking does not become a passion and lead one to do foolish or unmaidenly things. 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.

Father and Mother, and each other, said Beth contentedly from her corner.

Jo examined the work of art nearest her, idly wondering what fortuitous concatenation of circumstances needed the melodramatic illustration of an Indian in full war costume, tumbling over a precipice with a wolf at his throat, while two infuriated young gentlemen, with unnaturally small feet and big eyes, were stabbing each other close by, and a disheveled female was flying away in the background

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. Then they act upon it, and, if it succeeds, they give the weaker vessel half the credit of it. If it fails, they generously give her the whole.

He never spoke of himself, and in a conversation with Miss Norton divulged the pleasing fact. From her Jo learned it, and liked it all the better because Mr. Bhaer had never told it. She felt proud to know that he was an honored Professor in Berlin, though only a poor language-master in America, and his homely, hard-working life was much beautified by the spice of romance which this discovery gave it.

I don't intend to run away from a girl. Jo can't prevent my seeing her, and I shall stay and do it as long as I like, interrupted Laurie in a defiant tone. Not if you are the gentleman I think you. I'm disappointed, but the girl can't help it, and the only thing left for you to do is to go away for a time. Where will you go?

If you had been up early and done a little every morning there would be no hurry now. I told you that, Rob and you never minded. I cannot have the lessons neglected as the work has been. The squirrels will get more than their share this year and they deserve it, for they worked best.

I know I'll get my music some time, if I'm good.

Every one seems to be scrubbing their white steps. All the houses look like tidy jails, with their outside shutters. Several have crepe on the door-handles, and many have flags flying from roof or balcony. Few men appear, and the women seem to do the business, which, perhaps, accounts for its being so well done.

If life is often as hard as this, I don't see how we ever shall get through it," added her sister despondently.

She had often said she wanted to do something splendid, no matter how hard; and now she had her wish,--for what could be more beautiful than to devote her life to father and mother, trying to make home as happy to them as they had to her?

She loved to do the little things that others did not see, or were too busy to stop for: and while doing them, without a thought of thanks, she made sunshine for herself as well as others. That is how I was brought up and how I brought up my children. <3

I shall never 'go and marry' anyone, observed Meg, walking on with great dignity while the others followed, laughing, whispering, skipping stones, and 'behaving like children', as Meg said to herself

Then they act upon it, and, if it succeeds, they give the weaker vessel half the credit of it. If it fails, they generously give her the whole.

If he had any sorrow, "it sat with its head under its wing," and he turned only his sunny side to the world.

Beth at last touched the great instrument, and straightway forgot her fear, herself, and everything else but the unspeakable delight which the music gave her, for it was like the voice of a beloved friend.

Stay where you are, Jo. I'm errand boy for this establishment.

I'm the oldest, began Meg, but Jo cut in with a decided, I'm the man of the family now Papa is away, and I shall provide the slippers, for he told me to take special care of Mother while he was gone.