Quotes from Lousia May Alcott

Good, old-fashioned ways keep hearts sweet, heads sane, hands busy.

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

Jo began to dance a jig,...Amy nearly fell out of the window in her surprise, and Meg exclaimed, with uplifted hands, 'Well I do believe the world is coming to an end!

I am not afraid of storms, for I am leaning how to sail my ship.

for it was a new thing to see Meg blushing and talking about admiration, lovers, and things of that sort, and Jo felt as if during that fortnight her sister had grown up amazingly, and was drifting away from her into a world where she could not follow.

Well. I'm not a poet, I'm just a woman. And as a woman I have no way to make money, not enough to earn a living and support my family. Even if I had my own money, which I don't, it would belong to my husband the minute we were married. If we had children they would belong to him not me. They would be his property. So don't sit there and tell me that marriage isn't an economic proposition, because it is. It may not be for you but it most certainly is for me.

But I was going to say that while I was dawdling about abroad, I saw a good many talented young fellows making all sorts of sacrifices, and enduring real hardships, that they might realize their dreams. Splendid fellows, some of them, working like heroes, poor and friendless, but so full of courage, patience and ambition, that I was ashamed of myself, and longed to give them a right good lift.

I thought you'd be pleased.' 'At the idea of anybody coming to take Meg away? No, thank you.' 'You'll feel better about it when somebody comes to take you away.' 'I'd like to see any one try it,' cried Jo, fiercely. 'So should I!' and Laurie chuckled at the idea.

Love is the only thing that we can carry with us when we go.

At this command, to Rose's great dismay, six more hands were offered, and it was evident that she was expected to shake them all.

Please give these to your mother, and tell her I like the medicine she sent me very much. -Laurie

Who are your heroes?' asked Jo. 'Grandfather and Napoleon.' 'Which lady here do you think prettiest? said Sallie. 'Margaret. 'Which do you like best? from Fred. 'Jo, of course.

What do you most wish for?' said Laurie. 'A pair of boot-lacings,' returned Jo, guessing and defeating his purpose. 'Not a true answer; you must say what you really do want most.' 'Genius; don't you wish you could give it to me, Laurie?' and she shyly smiled in his disappointed face.