QuoteProject
And when they went away, leaving comfort behind, I think there were not in all the city four merrier people than the hungry little girls who gave away their breakfasts and contented themselves with bread and milk on Christmas morning.
Louisa May Alcott
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote highlights the joy found in selflessness and simplicity, especially during the festive season.

In this quote, Louisa May Alcott reflects on the profound happiness that comes from giving and prioritizing the needs of others over one's own comfort. The image of 'hungry little girls' who willingly sacrifice their breakfast for the joy of giving encapsulates the spirit of Christmas, emphasizing that true happiness can be found when we embrace generosity rather than materialism.

Themes

GivingHappinessSelflessnessChristmasGenerosity

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be shared during a holiday gathering to inspire a spirit of giving.

More from Louisa May Alcott

Women have been called queens for a long time, but the kingdom given them isn't worth ruling.
Louisa May AlcottRead
You have grown abominably lazy, and you like gossip, and waste time on frivolous things, you are contented to be petted and admired by silly people, instead of being loved and respected by wise ones.
Louisa May AlcottRead
"Stay" is a charming word in a friend's vocabulary.
Louisa May AlcottRead
... swept into the giddy vortex which keeps so many young people revolving aimlessly, till they go down or are cast upon the shore, wrecks of what they might have been
Louisa May AlcottRead
Simple, genuine goodness is the best capital to found the business of this life upon. It lasts when fame and money fail, and is the only riches we can take out of this world with us.
Louisa May AlcottRead
It takes two flints to make a fire.
Louisa May AlcottRead

Similar quotes

Happiness is a state of mind. It's just according to the way you look at things.
Walt DisneyRead
We have thousands of opportunities every day to be grateful: for having good weather, to have slept well last night, to be able to get up, to be healthy, to have enough to eat. ... There's opportunity upon opportunity to be grateful; that's what life is.
David Steindl-RastRead
True happiness is to rejoice in the truth, for to rejoice in the truth is to rejoice in You, O God, who are the truth... Those who think that there is another kind of happiness look for joy elsewhere, but theirs is not true joy.
Saint AugustineRead
A comfortable house is a great source of happiness. It ranks immediately after health and a good conscience.
Sydney SmithRead
Our rural ancestors, with little blest, Patient of labor when the end was rest, Indulged the day that housed their annual grain, With feasts, and off'rings, and a thankful strain.
Alexander PopeRead
Happiness is a state of non-contradictory joy . . . Happiness is possible only to a rational man, the man who desires nothing but rational goals,_x000D_ seeks nothing but rational values, and finds his joy in nothing but rational actions.
Ayn RandRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Louisa May Alcott | QuoteProject