Quotes from Louisa May Alcott

Por Dios no lo gasto, el dinero se va solo sin que haga nada, desaparece sin que yo sepa como.

Tienes bastante talento y virtudes, pero no hay que hacer ostentación porque la vanidad estropea el carácter más fino.

El verdadero talento y bondad no pasan mucho tiempo inadvertidos; aunque pasaran, el conocimiento de poseerlo y de usarlo bien debe satisfacernos.

La sencillez es el mejor encanto de todo poder.

Poor little Margaret, no hope for you when Faust and Mephistopheles are one.

It was as if her own conscience had taken human shape, for his voice eloquently uttered the fears, the feelings that had filled her heart that night. She had wavered, for love was sweet and life looked desolate without it; but the example of this man who asked nothing for himself and was as true to his own soul as he would have her to hers, touched and inspired her with a brave desire to be worthy his respect, to emulate his virtue.

something very splendid. What it was, she had no idea as yet, but

With full hearts and tender eyes, While our little household angels, White and golden in the sun, Greet us with the sweet old welcome,— Merry Christmas

Il migliore e il più caro tra gli angeli di Natale si chiama carità. [...]. Va in giro il giorno di Natale compiendo buone azioni come questa e non rimane mai per ricevere ringraziamenti.

I was glad to see the Irish coast, and found it very lovely, so green and sunny, with brown cabins here and there, ruins on some of the hills, and gentlemen's country-seats in the valleys, with deer feeding in the parks. It was early in the morning, but I didn't regret getting up to see it, for the bay was full of little boats, the shore so picturesque, and a rosy sky over head; I never shall forget it.

But remember, dear, that it is both bad taste and bad economy for poor people to try to ape the rich.

Please could I say one word? was the question three times repeated before a rough head bobbed out from the grotto of books in which Mac usually sat. Did anyone speak? he asked, blinking in the flood of sunshine that entered with Rose.

There are some natures too noble to curb and too lofty to bend.

To be loved and chosen by a good man is the best and sweetest thing which can happen to a woman, and I sincerely hope my girls may know of this beautiful experience. It is natural to think of it, Meg, right to hope and wait for it, and wise to prepare for it, so that when the happy time comes you may feel ready for the duties and worthy of the joy.

To live for one's principles, at all costs, is a dangerous speculation; and the failure of an ideal, no matter how humane and noble, is harder for the world to forgive and forget than bank robbery or the grand swindles of corrupt politicians.

La vanidad echa a perder las mejores cualidades. El talento y la bondad nunca pasan inadvertidos y, aunque así fuera, la conciencia de tenerlos y hacer buen uso de ellos debería bastar. Las virtudes quedan ensalzadas por la modestia.

There is very little real liberty in the world; even those who seem freest are often the most tightly bound. Law, custom, public opinion, fear or shame make slaves of us all...

Meg caught frequent glimpses of dainty ball-dresses and bouquets, heard lively gossip about theaters, concerts, sleighing parties, and merry-makings of all kinds, and saw money lavished on trifles which would have been so precious to her. Poor Meg seldom complained, but a sense of injustice made her feel bitter toward every one sometimes, for she had not yet learned to know how rich she was in the blessings which alone can make life happy.

No la envidio a pesar de su dinero porque, despues de todo, los ricos tienen tantas penas como los pobres

Anything more natural and frank I never saw, and found this brave John as bashful as brave, yet full of excellencies and fine aspirations, which, having no power to express themselves in words, seemed to have bloomed into his character and made him what he was.

a senhora não sabe, não pode saber como é ruim! é como se eu pudesse fazer qualquer coisa quando estou com raiva. fico tão selvagem que poderia ferir qualquer pessoa e ainda gostar disso. temo fazer algo horrível um dia, e estragar minha vida, e fazer com que todos me odeiem.

I want to do something splendid … Something heroic or wonderful that won't be forgotten after I'm dead … I think I shall write books.

jo achou que parecia que a irmã tinha amadurecido muito naqueles quinze dias e que se distanciava dela para um mundo em que não poderia segui-la.

Emil and Jack established rival claims to a certain thick patch, and while they were squabbling about, Stuffy quickly and quietly stripped the bushes and fled to the protection of Dan