Quotes from Louisa May Alcott

I was thinking what a curious thing love is; only a sentiment, and yet it has power to make fools of men and slaves of women.

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.

…men never forgive like women.

Who are your heroes?" asked Jo."Grandfather and Napoleon.

A house needs a grandma in it.

People don't have fortunes left them in that style nowadays; men have to work and women to marry for money. It's a dreadfully unjust world.

Rich or poor, we will keep together and be happy in one another.

He who believes is strong he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions. He who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions.

You may try your experiment for a week and see how you like it. I think by Saturday night you will find that all play and no work is as bad as all work and no play

Work is and always has been my salvation and I thank the Lord for it.

Woman work a great many miracles.

…it is so much better to work for others than for one's self alone.

Don't shut yourself up in a band box because you are a woman, but understand what is going on, and educate yourself to take part in the world's work, for it all affects you and yours.

Have your fun, my dear; but if you must earn your bread, try to make it sweet with cheerfulness, not bitter with the daily regret that it isn't cake.

Work is always my salvation and I will celebrate it.

Head, you may think; heart, you may feel; But hand, you shall work alway!

So she doesn't call desertion, poverty, and hard work troubles? She's a brave little girl, and I shall be proud to know her.

But many of the bravest never are known, and get no praise. That does not lessen their beauty.

Young things like you don't need any ornaments but those you wear to-night: youth, health, intelligence, and modesty.

…tomorrow was her birthday, and she was thinking how fast the years went by, how old she was getting, and how little she seemed to have accomplished. Almost twenty-five and nothing to show for it.

I'm not afraid of storms for I'm learning how to sail my ship.

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. in Little Women.

The rooms were very still while the pages were softly turned and the winter sunshine crept in to touch the bright heads and serious faces with a Christmas greeting.

Conceit spoils the finest genius. There is not much danger that real talent or goodness will be overlooked long even if it is the consciousness of possessing and using it well should satisfy one.