Quotes by Louisa May Alcott

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.

I like good strong words that mean something…

Do the things you know, and you shall learn the truth you need to know.

This love of money is the curse of American, and for the sake of it men will sell honor and honesty, till we dont know whom to trust, and it is only a genius like Agassiz who dares to say, I cannot waste my time in getting rich, said Mrs. Jessie sadly.

…nothing remained but loneliness and grief…

Men are always ready to die for us, but not to make our lives worth having. Cheap sentiment and bad logic.

I do like men who come out frankly and own that they are not gods.

Kindness in looks and words and ways is true politeness, and any one can have it if they only try to treat other people as they like to be treated themselves.

Polly tried to conquer the bad feeling; but it worried her, till she remembered something her mother once said to her: When you feel out of sorts, try to make someone else happy, and you will soon be so yourself.

Then it was that Jo, living in the darkened room, with that suffering little sister always before her eyes and that pathetic voice sounding in her ears, learned to see the beauty and the sweetness of Beths nature, to feel how deep and tender a place she filled in all hearts, and to acknowledge the worth of Beths unselfish ambition to live for others, and make home happy by that exercise of those simple virtues which all may possess, and which all should love and value more than talent, wealth, or beauty.

I am lonely, sometimes, but I dare say its good for me…

Send me all the advice you like. Ill use as much as I can.

…possessed of that indescribable charm called grace.

…for action is always easier than quiet waiting.

...the love, respect, and confidence of my children was the sweetest reward I could receive for my efforts to be the woman I would have them copy.

Mr. Bhaer saw the drops on her cheeks, ... The sight seemed to touch him very much, for suddenly stooping down, he asked in a tone that meant a great deal, Hearts dearest, why do you cry?Now, if Jo had not been new to this sort of thing she would have said she wasnt crying, had a cold in her head, or told any other feminine fib proper to the occasion. Instead of which, that undignified creature answered, with an irrepressible sob, Because you are going away.Ach, mein Gott, that is so good! cried Mr. Bhaer, managing to clasp his hands in spite of the umbrella and the bundles, Jo, I haf nothing but much love to gif you. I came to see if you could care for it, and I waited to be sure that I was something more than a friend. Am I? Can you make a little place in your heart for old Fritz? he added, all in one breath.Oh, yes! said Jo, and he was quite satisfied, for she folded both hands over his arm, and looked up at him with an expression that plainly showed how happy she would be to walk through life beside him, even though she had no better shelter than the old umbrella, if he carried it.

She would make a man of me. She puts strength and courage into me as no one else can. She is unlike any girl I ever saw; there’s no sentimentality about her; she is wise, and kind, and sweet. She says what she means, looks you straight in the eye, and is as true as steel.

You do me proud, Captain. But, dear, I want to say one thing and then Im done; for you dont need much advice of mine after my good man has spoken. I read somewhere that every inch of rope in the British Navy has a strand of red in it, so wherever a bit of it is found it is known. That is the text of my little sermon to you. Virtue, which means honour, honesty, courage, and all that makes character, is the red thread that marks a good man wherever he is. Keep that always and everywhere, so that even if wrecked by misfortune, that sign shall still be found and recognized. Yours is a rough life, and your mates not all we could wish, but you can be a gentleman in the true sense of the word; and no matter what happens to your body, keep your soul clean, your heart true to those who love you, and do your duty to the end.

It’s highly virtuous to say we’ll be good, but wecan’t do it all at once, and it takes a long pull, a strongpull, and a pull all together before some of us even get ourfeet set in the right way.

Because they are mean is no reason why I should be. I hate such things, and though I think Ive a right to be hurt, I dont intend to show it. (Amy March)