Louisa May Alcott

“...because I have fallen in love with so many pretty girls and never once the least bit with any man.”

“Oh, Jo, how could you? Your one beauty.”

“I for one don't want to be ranked among idiots, felons, and minors any longer, for I am none of them.”

“I could have been a great many things.”

“A child her wayward pencil drewOn margins of her book;Garlands of flower, dancing elves,Bud, butterfly, and brook,Lessons undone, and plum forgot,Seeking with hand and heartThe teacher whom she learned to loveBefore she knew t'was Art. ”

“Now I am beginning to live a little and feel less like a sick oyster at low tide.”

“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.”

“Help one another is part of the religion of our sisterhood.”

“Love is the only thing that we can carry with us when we go, and it makes the end so easy.”

“I should have been a great many things, Mr Mayor”

“Conceit spoils the finest genius.”

“If she really had any doubt, the look in Dr. Alec's face banished it without a word, as he opened wide his arms and she ran into them, feeling that home was here.”

“What do you want?" and Rose looked up rather surprised."I'd like to borrow some money. I shouldn't think of asking you, only Mac never has a cent since he's set up his old chemical shop, where he'll blow himself to bits some day and you and Uncle will have the fun of putting him together again," and Steve tried to look as if the idea amused him.”

“politics were as bad as mathematics, and that the mission of politicians seemed to be calling each other names”

“Being a domestic man, John decidedly missed the wifely attentions he had been accustomed to receive, but as he adored his babies, he cheerfully relinquished his comfort for a time, supposing with masculine ignorance that peace would soon be restored.”

“I love my liberty too well to be in a hurry to give it up for any mortal man.”

“I always say my life’s quote is, “Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead”

“It is my opinion that this day will never come to an end," said Prince, with a yawn that nearly rent him assunder.”

“When Jo's conservative sister Meg says she must turn up her hair now that she is a "young lady," Jo shouts, "I'm not! and if turning up my hair makes me one, I'll wear it in two tails till I'm twenty.... I hate to think I've got to grow up, and be Miss March, and wear long gowns, and look as prim as a China aster! It's bad enough to be a girl anyway, when I like boys' games and work and manners! I can't get over my disappointment in not being a boy; and it's worse than ever now, for I'm dying to go and fight with Papa, and I can only stay at home and knit, like a poky old woman.”

“So every day is a battle, and I'm so tired I don't want to live; only it's cowardly to die till you have done something.”

“Housekeeping ain't no joke.”

“Painful as it may be, a significant emotional event can be the catalyst for choosing a direction that serves us - and those around us - more effectively. Look for the learning.”

“Well, now there is a very excellent, necessary, and womanly accomplishment that my girl should not be without, for it is a help to rich and poor, and the comfort of families depends upon it. This fine talent is neglected nowadays and considered old-fashioned, which is a sad mistake and one that I don't mean to make in bringing up my girl. It should be part of every girl's eductation, and I know of a most accomplished lady who will teach you in the best and pleasantest manner.""Oh, what is it?" cried Rose eagerly, charmed to be met in this helpful and cordial way."Housekeeping!""Is that an accomplsihment?" asked Rose, while her face fell, for she had indulged in all sorts of vague, delightful daydreams.”

“What do girls do who haven't any mothers to help them through their troubles?”

“There is very little real liberty in the world; even those who seem freest are often the most tightly bound. Law, custom, public opinion, fear or shame make slaves of us all, as you will find when you try your experiment," said Tempest with a bitter smile.Law and custom I know nothing of, public opinion I despise, and shame and fear I defy, for everyone has a right to be happy in their own way.”

“You are the gull, Jo, strong and wild, fond of the storm and the wind, flying far out to sea, and happy all alone.”

“Let my name stand among those who are willing to bear ridicule and reproach for the truth's sake, and so earn some right to rejoice when the victory is won.”

“I'd take it manfully, and be respected if I couldn't be loved”

“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.”

“It’s amazing how lovely common things become, if one only knows how to look at them.”

“Мечтите ми се простират чак до Слънцето.Може и да не ги осъществя,но ми стига да гледам нагоре и да виждам красота им,да вярвам в тях и да си представям докъде биха ме отвели”

“Rose sat all alone in the big best parlor, with her little handkerchief laid ready to catch the first tear, for she was thinking of her troubles, and a shower was expected. She had retired to this room as a good place in which to be miserable; for it was dark and still, full of ancient furniture, somber curtains, and hung all around with portraits of solemn old gentlemen in wigs, severe-nosed ladies in top-heavy caps, and staring children in little bobtailed coats or short-waisted frocks. It was an excellent place for woe; amd the fitful spring rain that pattered on the windowpane seemed to sob,"Cry away; I'm with you.”

“I've neither beauty, money, nor rank, yet every foolish boy mistakes my frank interest for something warmer, and makes me miserable. It is my misfortune. Think of me what you will, but beware of me in time, for against my will I may do you harm.”

“Human minds are more full of mysteries than any written book and more changeable than the cloud shapes in the air.”

“A time will come when you will find that in gaining a brief joy you have lost your peace forever.”

“The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely.”

“. . . children should draw [a husband & wife] nearer than ever, not separate you, as if they were all yours, and [your husband] had nothing to do but support them. . . . don't neglect husaband for children, don't shut him out of the nursery, but teach him how to help in it. His place is there as well as yours, and the children need him; let him feel that he has his part to do, and he will do it gladly and faithfully, and it will be better for you all. . . . That is the secret of our home happiness: he does not let business wean him from the little cares and duties that affect us all, and I try not to let domestic worries destroy my interest in his pursuits. Each do our part alone in many things, but at home we work together, always. . . . no time is so beautiful and precious to parents as the first years of the little lives given them to train. Don't let [your husband] be a stranger to the babies, for they will do more to keep him safe and happy in this world of trial and temptation than anything else, and through them you will learn to know and love one another as you should.”

“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.”

“A real gentleman is as polite to a little girl as to a woman.”

“Keep good company, read good books, love good things and cultivate soul and body as faithfully as you can.”

“To me, love isn't all. I must look up, not down, trust and honor with my whole heart, and find strenght and integrity to lean on”

“Well, if I can't be happy, I can be useful, perhaps.”

“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.”

“hither,hither, from thy home,airy sprite, i bid thee come! born of roses, fed on dew, charms and potions canst thow brew? bring me here, with elfin speed,the fragment philter witch i need; make it sweet and swift and stong, spirite amserw now my songhither i come, from my airy home, afar silver moon. take magic spell, and use it well. or its powers will vanish soon!”

“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.”

“Because they are mean is no reason why I should be. I hate such things, and though I think I've a right to be hurt, I don't intend to show it. (Amy March)”

“I keep turning over new leaves, and spoiling them, as I used to spoil my copybooks; and I make so many beginnings there never will be an end. (Jo March)”

“Every few weeks she would shut herself up in her room, put on her scribbling suit, and fall into a vortex, as she expressed it, writing away at her novel with all her heart and soul, for till that was finished she could find no peace.”

“I want to do something splendid…Something heroic or wonderful that won’t be forgotten after I’m dead…I think I shall write books.”

“...for love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride.”