Quotes from Louisa May Alcott

È sbalorditivo come le persone diventino generose e accorte appena vengano indotte a rendersi conto di un dovere, un atto di carità, un errore.

Una cosa può dartela [...]. Può darti il piacere di fare del bene. Questa è una delle cose più dolci della vita, e possono goderne tanto il ricco quanto il povero.

You said, the other day, you thought we were a deal happier than the King children, for they were fighting and fretting all the time, in spite of their money.

God has ordered it all for the best...

We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving, and we all have the power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing.

A fat easy gentleman gave me several bits of paper, with coupons attached, with a warning not to separate them which instantly inspired me with a yearning to pluck them apart, and see what came of it.

In spite of her sorrow, she enjoyed that minute very much for she was a born consoler, and, it is hardly necessary for me to add, loved this reprehensible Tom with all her heart. It was a very foolish thing for her to do, she quite agreed to that; she couldn't understand it, explain it, or help it; she only felt that she did care for him very much, in spite of his faults, his indifference, and his engagement.

I've had lots of trouble, so I write jolly tales.

El viento silbaba por encima de las abatidas colinas, el agua caía en forma de lúgubre llovizna, y el ocaso se cernió sobre el paisaje. Pero los ojos del hombre tranquilo penetraban la niebla con la misma calma que si tuviera ante sí un radiante arco de promesas extendiéndose por la grisura del cielo.

Pan ácimo, gachas y agua para desayunar; pan, verdura y agua para almorzar; y pan, fruta y agua para cenar conformaban el repertorio de alimentos visado por los venerables. No había teteras que profanaran los fogones sagrados, ni filetes sangrientos que chillaran estertóreos pidiendo venganza desde las castas parrillas, pues los únicos sacrificios que se ofrendaban en aquel altar doméstico eran el apetito, el tiempo y el humor de una mujer valiente.

8 de octubre - Cuando me he despertado, el primer pensamiento que me ha venido ha sido: Es el cumpleaños de Madre, tengo que ser muy buena. He ido corriendo a desearle un feliz cumpleaños y le he dado un beso. Después del desayuno, cada uno le ha dado su regalo. Yo le he hecho una cruz de musgo y una poesía. No teníamos que ir a la escuela y he estado jugando en el bosque y he recogido hojas rojas.

That engagement was such a farce, that she never had much faith in it, so she put her love way in a corner of her heart, and tried to forget it, hoping it would either die, or have a right to live...Polly had a pang, and thought she couldn't possibly bear it. But she always found she could, and so came to the conclusion that it was a merciful provision of nature that girls' hearts could stand so much, and their appetites continue good, when unrequited love was starving.

But he liked it because it was so different from the coquettish clatter of most of the girls with whom he talked. Young men often laugh at the sensible girls whom they secretly respect, and affect to admire the silly ones whom they secretly despise because earnestness, intelligence, and womanly dignity are not the fashion.

There was a good deal of laughing, and kissing, and explaining, in the simple, loving fashion which makes these home festivals so pleasant at the time, so sweet to remember long afterward, then all fell to work. Little Women, Louisa May Alcott

you have found your style at last. You wrote with no thought of fame or money, and put your heart into it, my daughter; you have had the bitter, now comes the sweet;

they will be loving children to you, will do their duty faithfully, fight their bosom enemies bravely, and conquer themselves so beautifully, that when I come back to them I may be fonder and prouder than ever of my little women.

Six children are huddled into one bed to keep from freezing, for they have no fire. There is nothing to eat over there, and the oldest boy came to tell me they were suffering hunger and cold.

You will find that money can buy everything, even the conscience and integrity of a priest, began Tempest.

Is that my boy? As sure as this is my girl! and Laurie tucked her hand under his arm with the air of a man whose every wish was gratified.

No encuentro palabras para explicaros el reencuentro entre madre e hijas. Son momentos muy hermosos de vivir pero muy difíciles de describir [...]

It could not buy that of Ignatius, she interrupted with a look of triumph, for amidst so much deceit she felt a double gratitude that one man had been found true.

Kate looked surprised, but said nothing and stood looking at the fire as if turning the matter over in her mind and trying to answer the question she was too polite to ask—how could they have a grandmother and know so little about her?

A poor, bare, miserable room it was, with broken windows, no fire, ragged bedclothes, a sick mother, wailing baby, and a group of pale, hungry children cuddled under one old quilt, trying to keep warm.

I seldom ask questions of men, as they are not fond of gossip.