Louisa May Alcott

I'm perfectly miserable; but if you consider me presentable, I die happy.

Your father, Jo. He never loses patience, never doubts or complains, but always hopes, and works and waits so cheerfully that one is ashamed to do otherwise before him.

Many wise and true sermons are preached us everyday by unconscious ministers in street, school, office, or home; even a fair table may become a pulpit, if it can offer the good and helpful words which are never out of season.

{Mrs. March to Jo} You are too much alike and too fond of freedom, not to mention hot tempers and strong wills, to get on happily together, in a relation which needs infinite patience and forbearance, as well as love.

I have nothing to give but my heart so full and these empty hands." "They're not empty now.

The rooms were very still while the pages were softly turned and the winter sunshine crept in to touch the bright heads and serious faces with a Christmas greeting.

You are like a chestnut burr, prickly outside, but silky-soft within, and a sweet kernel, if one can only get at it. Love will make you show your heart some day, and then the rough burr will fall off.

The scar will remain, but it is better for a man to lose both arms than his soul; and these hard years, instead of being lost, may be made the most precious of your lives, if they teach you to rule yourselves.

Beth ceased to fear him from that moment, and sat there talking to him as cozily as if she had known him all her life, for love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride.

Mothers can forgive anything! Tell me all, and be sure that I will never let you go, though the whole world should turn from you.

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

I think this power of living in our children is one of the sweetest things in the world.

…it is so much better to work for others than for one's self alone.

Prosperity suits some people, and they blossom best in a glow of sunshine; others need the shade, and are the sweeter for a touch of frost.

…for no matter how lost and soiled and worn-out wandering sons may be, mothers can forgive and forget every thing as they fold them into their fostering arms. Happy the son whose faith in his mother remains unchanged, and who, through all his wanderings, has kept some filial token to repay her brave and tender love.

I am lonely, sometimes, but I dare say it's good for me.

…on some occasions, women, like dreams, go by contraries.

I'd rather take coffee than compliments just now.

…because talent isn't genius, and no amount of energy can make it so. I want to be great, or nothing.

Jo's ambition was to do something very splendid; what it was she had no idea, as yet, but left it for time to tell her.

The small hopes and plans and pleasures of children should be tenderly respected by grown-up people, and never rudely thwarted or ridiculed.