Quotes from Louisa May Alcott

Dear me! how happy and good we'd be, if we had no worries!

"Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.

I am angry nearly every day of my life, Jo, but I have learned not to show it; and I still hope to learn not to feel it, though it may take me another forty years to do so.

What do girls do who haven't any mothers to help them through their troubles?

Housekeeping ain't no joke.

Women have been called queens a long time, but the kingdom given them isn't worth ruling.

Let us be elegant or die! --Amy

I like to help women help themselves, as that is, in my opinion, the best way to settle the woman question. Whatever we can do and do well we have a right to, and I don't think any one will deny us.

Money is the root of all evil, and yet it is such a useful root that we cannot get on without it any more than we can without potatoes.

Because they are mean is no reason why I should be. I hate such things, and though I think I've a right to be hurt, I don't intend to show it. (Amy March)

You have a good many little gifts and virtues, but there is no need of parading them, for conceit spoils the finest genius. There is not much danger that real talent or goodness will be overlooked long, and the great charm of all power is modesty.

Let my name stand among those who are willing to bear ridicule and reproach for the truth's sake, and so earn some right to rejoice when the victory is won.

Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents.

My definition [of a philosopher] is of a man up in a balloon, with his family and friends holding the ropes which confine him to earth and trying to haul him down.

Women have been called queens for a long time, but the kingdom given them isn't worth ruling.

Resolved to take Fate by the throat and shake a living out of her.

Help one another, is part of the religion of sisterhood.

Love Jo all your days, if you choose, but don't let it spoil you, for it's wicked to throw away so many good gifts because you can't have the one you want.

Happy is the son whose faith in his mother remains unchallenged.

The spring sunshine streamed in like a benediction over the placid face upon the pillow—a face so full of painless peace, that those who loved it best smiled through their tears, and thanked God that Beth was well at last.

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.

Have regular hours for work and play make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success.

Don't laugh at the spinsters, dear girls, for often very tender, tragic romances are hidden away in the hearts that beat so quietly under the sober gowns, and many silent sacrifices of youth, health, ambition, love itself, make the faded faces beautiful in God's sight. Even the sad, sour sisters should be kindly dealt with, because they have missed the sweetest part of life, if for no other reason.

A love for good books is one of the best safeguards a man can have.