Quotes from Louisa May Alcott

Better destroy the body than the soul.' ~Rosamond

A little kingdom I possess, where thoughts and feelings dwell; And very hard the task I find of governing it well.

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

For in that sad yet happy hour, she had learned not only the bitterness of remorse and despair, but the sweetness of self-denial and self-control, and led by her mother's hand, she had drawn nearer to the Friend who always welcomes every child with a love stronger than that of any father, tenderer than that of any mother.

That's it! said Jo to herself, when she at length discovered that genuine good will toward one's fellow men could beautify and dignify even a stout German teacher, who shoveled in his dinner, darned his own socks, and was burdened with the name of Bhaer.

I planned to spend mine in new music, said Beth, with a little sigh, which no one heard but the hearth brush and kettle-holder.

I'm here, hold on to me, Jo, dear! - Laurie

notoriety is not real glory.

If all literary women had such thoughtful angels for husbands, they would live longer and write more. Perhaps that wouldn't be such a blessing to the world though, as most of us write too much now,' said Mrs. Jo…

you have found your style at last. You wrote with no thoughts of fame and money, and put your heart into it

If every one agreed, we should never get on.

What right have I to more gay gowns, when some poor babies have none; or to spend time making myself fine, while there is so much bitter want in the world?

I will make a battering-ram of my head and make a way through this rough-and-tumble world.

Love should not make us blind to faults, nor familiarity make us too ready to blame the shortcomings we see.

Don't be sorry, I won't let it hurt me. I'll forget all the bad and remember only the good, for I did enjoy a great deal.

growing pale and sober with the thought that her fate was soon to be decided; for, like all young people, she was sure that her whole life could be settled by one human creature, quite forgetting how wonderfully Providence trains us by disappointment, surprises us with unexpected success, and turns our seeming trials into blessing.

Don't let that young giant come near me, he worries me worse than mosquitoes, whispered the old lady to Amy, as the rooms filled and Laurie's black head towered above the rest. He has promised to be very good today, and he can be perfectly elegant if he likes, returned Amy, gliding away to war Hergules to beware of the dragon, which warning cased him to haunt the old lady with a devotion that nearly distracted her.

She was standing before a fine portrait of the old gentleman when the door opened again, and, without turning, she said decidedly, 'I'm sure now that I shouldn't be afraid of him, for he's got kind eyes, though his mouth is grim, and he looks as if he had a tremendous will of his own. He isn't as handsome as my grandfather, but I like him.' 'Thank you, ma'am,' said a gruff voice behind her, and there, to her great dismay, stood old Mr. Laurence.

he felt he could willingly give his life for them.

I wanted to show that the mother was the heroine as soon as possible. I'm tired of love-sick girls and runaway wives. We'll prove that there's romance in old women also.

I make so many beginnings there never will be an end

she never had what she wanted till she had given up hoping for,' said Mrs. Meg.

She would make a man of me. She puts strength and courage into me as no one else can. She is unlike any girl I ever saw; there's no sentimentality about her; she is wise, and kind, and sweet. She says what she means, looks you straight in the eye, and is as true as steel.

It is an excellent plan to have some place where we can go to be quiet, when things vex or grieve us. There are a good many hard times in this life of ours, but we can always bear them if we ask help in the right way.