70 Louisa May Alcott Quotes

Louisa May Alcott, best known for her classic novel "Little Women," remains a timeless literary figure whose words continue to inspire and resonate with readers around the world. Her writing, characterized by profound insight and vibrant storytelling, is filled with wisdom on themes like family, resilience, and the pursuit of one’s dreams. In this post, we’ve gathered a curated collection of the top 70 quotes from Louisa May Alcott’s extensive body of work. Whether you're a long-time admirer or a new reader, these quotes offer a glimpse into the heart and mind of an author whose legacy endures through the ages.

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

2. “But, like all happiness, it did not last long…” - Louisa May Alcott

3. “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…” - Louisa May Alcott

4. “Never take advice!” - Louisa May Alcott

5. “So she enjoyed herself heartily, and found, what isn't always the case, that her granted wish was all she had hoped.” - Louisa May Alcott

6. “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

7. “Well, I am happy, and I won't fret, but it does seem as if the more one gets the more one wants…” - Louisa May Alcott

8. “I don't think secrets agree with me, I feel rumpled up in mind since you told me that…” - Louisa May Alcott

9. “Don't try to make me grow up before my time…” - Louisa May Alcott

10. “…in silence learned the sweet solace which affection administers to sorrow.” - Louisa May Alcott

11. “I wish I had no heart, it aches so…” - Louisa May Alcott

12. “such hours are beautiful to live, but very hard to describe…” - Louisa May Alcott

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

14. “Now and then, in this workaday world, things do happen in the delightful storybook fashion, and what a comfort that is.” - Louisa May Alcott

15. “…Jo loved a few persons very dearly and dreaded to have their affection lost or lessened in any way.” - Louisa May Alcott

16. “…possessed of that indescribable charm called grace.” - Louisa May Alcott

17. “…she was one of those happily created beings who please without effort, make friends everywhere, and take life so gracefully and easily that less fortunate souls are tempted to believe that such are born under a lucky star.” - Louisa May Alcott

18. “By the time the lecture ended and the audience awoke, she had built up a splendid fortune for herself (not the first founded on paper)…” - Louisa May Alcott

19. “…to the inspiration of necessity, we owe half the wise, beautiful, and useful blessings of the world.” - Louisa May Alcott

20. “When we make little sacrifices we like to have them appreciated, at least…” - Louisa May Alcott

21. “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

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

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

24. “In her secret soul, however, she decided that politics were as bad as mathematics, and that the mission of politicians seemed to be calling each other names…” - Louisa May Alcott

25. “…because talent isn't genius, and no amount of energy can make it so. I want to be great, or nothing.” - Louisa May Alcott

26. “…tomorrow was her birthday, and she was thinking how fast the years went by, how old she was getting, and how little she seemed to have accomplished. Almost twenty-five and nothing to show for it.” - Louisa May Alcott

27. “I am lonely, sometimes, but I dare say it's good for me…” - Louisa May Alcott

28. “…marriage, they say, halves one's rights and doubles one's duties.” - Louisa May Alcott

29. “…wisely mingled poetry and prose.” - Louisa May Alcott

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

31. “…and Aunt Jo retired, satisfied with the success of her last trap to catch a sunbeam.” - Louisa May Alcott

32. “…no person, no matter how vivid an imagination he may have, can invent anything half so droll as the freaks and fancies that originate in the lively brains of little people.” - Louisa May Alcott

33. “…Mrs. Jo sat smiling over her book as she built castles in the air, just as she used to do when a girl, only then they were for herself, and now they were for other people, which is the reason perhaps that some of them came to pass in reality — for charity is an excellent foundation to build anything upon.” - Louisa May Alcott

34. “…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.” - Louisa May Alcott

35. “…young minds cannot be driven…” - Louisa May Alcott

36. “It is a merciful provision my dears, for it takes three or four women to get each man into, through, and out of the world. You are costly creatures, boys, and it is well that mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters love their duty and do it so well, or you would perish off the face of the earth,' said Mrs. Jo solemnly…” - Louisa May Alcott

37. “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.” - Louisa May Alcott

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

39. “If all literary women had such thoughtful angels for husbands, they would live longer and write more. Perhaps that wouldn't be such a blessing to the world though, as most of us write too much now,' said Mrs. Jo…” - Louisa May Alcott

40. “Boys don't gush, so I can stand it. The last time I let in a party of girls, one fell into my arms and said, "Darling, love me!" I wanted to shake her,' answered Mrs. Jo, wiping her pen with energy.” - Louisa May Alcott

41. “…misfortune was much more interesting to her than good luck.” - Louisa May Alcott

42. “…having learned that people cannot be moulded like clay…” - Louisa May Alcott

43. “If every one agreed, we should never get on.” - Louisa May Alcott

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

45. “…but I never shall be very wise, I'm afraid.” - Louisa May Alcott

46. “Young people think they never can change, but they do in the most wonderful manner, and very few die of broken hearts.” - Louisa May Alcott

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

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

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

50. “…books are always good company if you have the right sort. Let me pick out some for you.' And Mrs. Jo made a bee-line to the well-laden shelves, which were the joy of her heart and the comfort of her life.” - Louisa May Alcott

51. “Love should not make us blind to faults, nor familiarity make us too ready to blame the shortcomings we see.” - Louisa May Alcott

52. “…growing pale and sober with the thought that her fate was soon to be decided; for, like all young people, she was sure that her whole life could be settled by one human creature, quite forgetting how wonderfully Providence trains us by disappointment, surprises us with unexpected success, and turns our seeming trials into blessing.” - Louisa May Alcott

53. “I'm tired of praise; and love is very sweet, when it is simple and sincere like this.” - Louisa May Alcott

54. “Mrs. Jo did not mean the measles, but that more serious malady called love, which is apt to ravage communities, spring and autumn, when winter gayety and summer idleness produce whole bouquets of engagements, and set young people to pairing off like the birds.” - Louisa May Alcott

55. “We don't choose our talents; but we needn't hide them in a napkin because they are not just what we want.” - Louisa May Alcott

56. “…had an hour of silent agony that aged him more than years of happy life could have done.” - Louisa May Alcott

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

58. “The story of his downfall is soon told; for it came, as so often happens, just when he felt unusually full of high hopes, good resolutions, and dreams of a better life.” - Louisa May Alcott

59. “…a woman's always safe and comfortable when a fellow's down on his luck.” - Louisa May Alcott

60. “…proved that woman isn't a half but a whole human being, and can stand alone.” - Louisa May Alcott

61. “…she never had what she wanted till she had given up hoping for,' said Mrs. Meg.” - Louisa May Alcott

62. “It's lovely to see people so happy.” - Louisa May Alcott

63. “…courage and devotion always stir generous hearts, and win admiration…” - Louisa May Alcott

64. “And mother-like, Mrs. Jo forgot the threatened chastisement in tender lamentations over the happy scapegrace…” - Louisa May Alcott

65. “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

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

67. “…he stood behind her, tall and pale, like the ghost of his former self…” - Louisa May Alcott

68. “…the violin — that most human of all instruments…” - Louisa May Alcott

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

70. “.....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