38 Louisa May Alcott Quotes

Louisa May Alcott, the beloved author behind timeless classics such as "Little Women," has left an indelible mark on literature with her heartfelt storytelling and insightful wisdom. Born into a family of transcendentalists and raised in an intellectually stimulating environment, Alcott’s words have inspired generations of readers. Whether you’re seeking motivation, comfort, or a deeper understanding of life’s complexities, her quotes resonate with a timeless relevance. In this collection, we’ve gathered 38 of the most poignant and thought-provoking Louisa May Alcott quotes that continue to captivate hearts and minds today.

1. “I like good strong words that mean something…” - Louisa May Alcott

2. “Never mind. Little girls shouldn't ask questions,' returned Jo sharply.Now if there is anything mortifying to our feelings when we are young, it is to be told that; and to be bidden to 'run away, dear' is still more trying to us.” - Louisa May Alcott

3. “…trying to extinguish the brilliant hopes that blazed up a word of encouragement.” - Louisa May Alcott

4. “The clocks were striking midnight and the rooms were very still as a figure glided quietly from bed to bed, smoothing a coverlid here, settling a pillow there, and pausing to look long and tenderly at each unconscious face, to kiss each with lips that mutely blessed, and to pray the fervent prayers which only mothers utter.” - Louisa May Alcott

5. “Go on with your work as usual, for work is a blessed solace.” - Louisa May Alcott

6. “…she'll go and fall in love, and there's an end of peace and fun, and cozy times together.” - Louisa May Alcott

7. “I think she is growing up, and so begins to dream dreams, and have hopes and fears and fidgets, without knowing why or being able to explain them.” - Louisa May Alcott

8. “Jo had learned that hearts, like flowers, cannot be rudely handled, but must open naturally…” - Louisa May Alcott

9. “The dirt is picturesque, so I don't mind.” - Louisa May Alcott

10. “I'd rather take coffee than compliments just now.” - Louisa May Alcott

11. “Amy's lecture did Laurie good, though, of course, he did not own it till long afterward; men seldom do,—for when women are the advisers, the lords of creation don't take the advice till they have persuaded themselves that it is just what they intended to do; then they act upon it, and, if it succeeds, they give the weaker vessel half the credit of it; if it fails, they generously give her the whole.” - Louisa May Alcott

12. “…I can't help seeing that you are very lonely, and sometimes there is a hungry look in your eyes that goes to my heart.” - Louisa May Alcott

13. “…on some occasions, women, like dreams, go by contraries.” - Louisa May Alcott

14. “…we're twins, and so we love each other more than other people…” - Louisa May Alcott

15. “…the child's heart bled when it was broken.” - Louisa May Alcott

16. “Oh, that is the surprise. It's so lovely, I pity you because you don't know it…” - Louisa May Alcott

17. “Young people seldom turn out as one predicts, so it is of little use to expect anything,' said Mrs. Meg with a sigh. 'If our children are good and useful men and women, we should be satisfied; yet it's very natural to wish them to be brilliant and successful.” - Louisa May Alcott

18. “I think this power of living in our children is one of the sweetest things in the world…” - Louisa May Alcott

19. “Don't suggest that we are growing old, my Lord. We have only bloomed; and a very nice bouquet we make with our buds about us,' answered Mrs. Amy, shaking out the folds of her rosy muslin with much the air of dainty satisfaction the girl used to show in a new dress.Not to mention our thorns and dead leaves,' added Jo, with a sigh; for life had never been very easy to her, and even now she had her troubles both within and without.” - Louisa May Alcott

20. “…notoriety is not real glory.” - Louisa May Alcott

21. “The youngest, aged twelve, could not conceal her disappointment, and turned away, feeling as so many of us have felt when we discover that our idols are very extraordinary men and women.” - Louisa May Alcott

22. “I do like men who come out frankly and own that they are not gods.” - Louisa May Alcott

23. “Oh dear, life is pretty tough sometimes, isn't it?” - Louisa May Alcott

24. “…it is so much better to work for others than for one's self alone.” - Louisa May Alcott

25. “Tired of my own company, I suppose, now I've seen so much better.” - Louisa May Alcott

26. “Better lose your life than your soul…” - Louisa May Alcott

27. “…what splendid dreams young people build upon a word, and how bitter is the pain when the bright bubbles burst.” - Louisa May Alcott

28. “…but mortal man was helpless there…” - Louisa May Alcott

29. “…thirst is harder to bear than hunger, heat, or cold.” - Louisa May Alcott

30. “…I wanted to show that the mother was the heroine as soon as possible. I'm tired of love-sick girls and runaway wives. We'll prove that there's romance in old women also.” - Louisa May Alcott

31. “…that's what old people are here for, — else their experience is of little use.” - Louisa May Alcott

32. “Dan clung to her in speechless gratitude, feeling the blessedness of mother love, — that divine gift which comforts, purifies, and strengthens all who seek it.” - Louisa May Alcott

33. “Don't take it away! It's only a fancy, but a man must love something…” - Louisa May Alcott

34. “The emerging woman ... will be strong-minded, strong-hearted, strong-souled, and strong-bodied...strength and beauty must go together.” - Louisa May Alcott

35. “Come, Philander, let us be a marching, Every one his true love a searching,"Would be the most appropriate motto for this chapter, because, intimidated by the threats, denunciations, and complaints showered upon me in consequence of taking the liberty to end a certain story as I liked, I now yield to the amiable desire of giving satisfaction, and, at the risk of outraging all the unities, intend to pair off everybody I can lay my hands on.” - Louisa May Alcott

36. “.....and I shall think her very mean indeed if she does not give me some of her gloves, for she has many of them, I've seen them myself.......and as you can see, I took the hint.......but not much love went into THAT package did it, my dear?” - Louisa May Alcott

37. “I don't believe fine young ladies enjoy themselves a bit more than we do, in spite of our burned hair, old gowns, one glove apiece, and tight slippers that sprain our ankles when we are silly enough to wear them.” - Louisa May Alcott

38. “They always looked back before turning the corner, for their mother was always at the window to nod and smile, and wave her hand to them. Somehow it seemed as if they couldn't have got through the day without that, for whatever their mood might be, the last glimpse of that motherly face was sure to affect them like sunshine.” - Louisa May Alcott