Quotes from Louisa May Alcott

Better be happy old maids than unhappy wives

L'affetto bandisce il timore e la gratitudine può debellare l'orgoglio.

Rather a rough road for you to travel, my little pilgrims, especially the latter part of it. But you have got on bravely, and I think the burdens are in a fair way to tumble off very soon

tender. Laurie was growing more serious, strong, and firm, and both were learning that beauty, youth, good fortune, even love itself, cannot keep care and pain, loss and sorrow, from the most blessed for ... Into each life some rain must fall, Some days must be dark and sad and dreary. She is growing better, I am sure of it, my dear. Don't despond, but hope and keep happy, said Mrs. March, as tenderhearted Daisy stooped from her knee to lay her rosy cheek against her little cousin's pale one.

As she said, she was "fond of luxury," and her chief trouble was poverty.

I think anxiety is very interesting," observed Amy, eating sugar pensively.

Don't you wish you could take a look forward and see where we shall all be then? I do," returned Laurie. "I think not, for I might see something sad, and everyone looks so happy now

No, winking isn't ladylike.

A fellow can't live on books

Some days must be dark and sad and dreary.

Each do our part alone in many things, but at home we work together, always.

Now, the old sofa was a regular patriarch of a sofa—long, broad, well-cushioned, and low, a trifle shabby, as well it might be, for the girls had slept and sprawled on it as babies, fished over the back, rode on the arms, and had menageries under it as children, and rested tired heads, dreamed dreams, and listened to tender talk on it as young women. They all loved it, for it was a family refuge, and one corner had always been Jo's favorite lounging place.

A large sheaf, but I know there's room in your heart for it, Marmee dear, added Meg's tender voice. Touched to the heart, Mrs. March could only stretch out her arms, as if to gather children and grandchildren to herself, and say, with face and voice full of motherly love, gratitude, and humility... Oh, my girls, however long you may live, I never can wish you a greater happiness than this!

La modestie n'exclut pas la satisfaction d'être approuvée et appréciée comme on l'a mérité.

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, and the great charm of all power is modesty.

Here! answered a husky voice from above, and, running up, Meg found her

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.

Little things of this sort are especially good work for little people: a kind little thought, an unselfish little act, a cherry little word, are so sweet and comfortable, that no one can fail to feel their beauty and love the giver, no matter how small they are. Mothers do a deal of this sort of thing, unseen, unthanked, but felt and remembered long afterward, and never lost, for this is the simple magic that binds hearts together, and keeps home happy.

though English people are slow to take you in, when they once make up their minds to do it they cannot be outdone in hospitality, I think.

I'll let my castle go, and stay with the dear old gentleman while he needs me, for I am all he has.

A lover is not worth having if he's not in earnest.

I must try to practice all the virtues I would have my little girls possess, for I was their example.

It takes people a long time to learn the difference between talent and genius, especially ambitious young men and women. Amy was learning this distinction through much tribulation, for mistaking enthusiasm for inspiration, she attempted every branch of art with

The big house did prove a Palace Beautiful, though it took some time for