Louisa May Alcott quotes

Lovely weather so far. I don’t know how long it will last, but I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.

— Amy · Chapter Forty-Four: MY LORD AND LADY

“I’ve got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I can unlock the door remains to be seen,” observed Jo mysteriously.

— Jo · Chapter Thirteen: CASTLES IN THE AIR

Meg had spent the time in working as well as waiting, growing womanly in character, wise in housewifely arts, and prettier than ever, for love is a great beautifier.

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents,” grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.

— Spoken by a character · Chapter One: PLAYING PILGRIMS

Have regular hours for work and play, make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life become a beautiful success, in spite of poverty.

— Spoken by a character · Chapter Eleven: EXPERIMENTS

“Be worthy, love, and love will come,” In the falling summer rain.

— Spoken by a character · Chapter Forty-Six: UNDER THE UMBRELLA

“I like good strong words that mean something,” replied Jo, catching her hat as it took a leap off her head preparatory to flying away altogether.

— Jo · Chapter Four: BURDENS

There are many Beths in the world, shy and quiet, sitting in corners till needed, and living for others so cheerfully that no one sees the sacrifices till the little cricket on the hearth stops chirping, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind.

Meg’s high-heeled slippers were very tight and hurt her, though she would not own it, and Jo’s nineteen hairpins all seemed stuck straight into her head, which was not exactly comfortable, but, dear me, let us be elegant or die.

Love Jo all your days, if you choose, but don’t let it spoil you, for it’s wicked to throw away so many good gifts because you can’t have the one you want.

— Spoken by a character · Chapter Thirty-Nine: LAZY LAURENCE

Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents

For love is a flower that grows in any soil, works its sweet miracles undaunted by autumn frost or winter snow, blooming fair and fragrant all the year, and blessing those who give and those who receive.

“Now, boys, I have arranged it so that you can all go,” said Mrs. Bhaer, running back again, much relieved, for she loved to make them happy, and always felt miserable when she had disturbed the serenity of her little sons; for she believed that the small hopes and plans and pleasures of children should be tenderly respected by grown-up people, and never rudely thwarted or ridiculed.

— Mrs. Bhaer · XII. HUCKLEBERRIES

'It is necessary to do right; it is not necessary to be happy.'

— Spoken by a character · 9. Phebe's Secret

If you dear little girls would only learn what real beauty is, and not pinch and starve and bleach yourselves out so, you'd save an immense deal of time and money and pain. A happy soul in a healthy body makes the best sort of beauty for man or woman.

— Spoken by a character · 5. A Belt and a Box

Neither should it be for a woman, for we've got minds and souls as well as hearts; ambition and talents as well as beauty and accomplishments; and we want to live and learn as well as love and be loved.

— Rose · 1. COMING HOME