Quotes About Self-reliance

for a girl with eyes like hers has a will and is not ruled by anyone but a lover.

I don't believe I shall ever marry; I'm happy as I am, and love my liberty too well to be in any hurry to give it up for any mortal man.

proved that woman isn't a half but a whole human being, and can stand alone.

Never take advice!

I'd rather be a free spinster and paddle my own canoe.

Nothing more,—except that I don't believe I shall ever marry; I'm happy as I am, and love my liberty too well to be in any hurry to give it up for any mortal man.

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.

having learned that people cannot be moulded like clay…

My idea is that if we girls have any influence we should use it for the good of these boys, and not pamper them up, making slaves of ourselves and tyrants of them. Let them prove what they can do and be before they ask anything of us, and give us a chance to do the same. Then we know where we are, and shall not make mistakes to mourn over all our lives.

You can go through the world with your elbows out and your nose in the air, and call it independence, if you like. That's not my way.

I can't do it. I wasn't meant for a life like this, and I know I shall break away and do something desperate if somebody doesn't come and help me," she said to herself, when her first efforts failed and she fell into the moody, miserable state of mind which often comes when strong wills have to yield to the inevitable.

I agree not to expect anything from Mother or you, but I do want to buy Undine and Sintran for myself. I've wanted it so long, said Jo, who was a bookworm.

Wealth is certainly a most desirable thing, but poverty has its sunny side, and one of the sweet uses of adversity is the genuine satisfaction which comes from hearty work of head or hand, and to the inspiration of necessity, we owe half the wise, beautiful, and useful blessings of the world. Jo enjoyed a taste of this satisfaction, and ceased to envy richer girls, taking great comfort in the knowledge that she could supply her own wants, and need ask no one for a penny.

Very tough, but it is that very struggle with obstacles which does us good. Things have been made easy for you in many ways, but no one can do everything. You must paddle your own canoe now, and learn to avoid the rapids and steer straight to the port you want to reach. I don't know just what your temptations will be for you have no bad habits and seem to love music so well, nothing can lure you from it. I only hope you won't work too hard.

Louisa May Alcott

Wealth is certainly a most desirable thing, but poverty has its sunny side, and one of the sweet uses of adversity is the genuine satisfaction which comes from heart work of head or hand, and to the inspiration of necessity, we own half the wise, beautiful, and useful blessings of the world. Jo enjoyed a taste of this satisfaction, and ceased to envy richer girls, taking great comfort in the knowledge that she could supply her own wants, and need ask no one for a penny.

The girls put their wits to work, and - necessity being the mother of invention - made whatever they needed.

I shall never 'go and marry' anyone, observed Meg, walking on with great dignity while the others followed, laughing, whispering, skipping stones, and 'behaving like children', as Meg said to herself

I am a governess myself. Oh, indeed! said Miss Kate, but she might as well have said, Dear me, how dreadful! for her tone implied it, and something in her face made Meg color, and wish she had not been so frank. Mr. Brooke looked up and said quickly, Young ladies in America love independence as much as their ancestors did, and are admired and respected for supporting themselves.

Fearing to ask any more advice, she did her best alone, and discovered that something more than energy and good-will is necessary to make a cook.

I'm happy as I am, and love my liberty too well to be in a hurry to give it up for any mortal man.

I don't like favors, they oppress and make me feel like a slave. I'd rather do everything for myself, and be perfectly independent.

I don't believe that I shall ever marry; I'm happy as I am, and love my liberty too well to be in a hurry to give it up for any mortal man.

You can't live on friends, try it and see how cool they'll grow. He hasn't any business, has he? (Aunt March.)