Quotessence
Home / Authors / Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott

Louisa May Alcott Quotes

Novelist

Filter quotes by topic

Famous Louisa May Alcott Quotes

“Your father, Jo. He never loses patience,--never doubts or complains,--but always hopes, and works and waits so cheerfully, that one is ashamed to do otherwise before him. He helped and comforted me, and showed me that I must try to practise all the virtues I would have my little girls possess, for I was their example. It was easier for your sakes than for my own; a startled or surprised look from one of you, when I spoke sharply, rebuked me more than any words could have done; and 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.”

“De haber sido la protagonista de un libro de contenido moral, en ese momento de su vida, Jo se hubiese transformado en santa, hubiese renunciado al mundo y se hubiese dedicado a recorrer los caminos haciendo el bien, con un sencillo sombrero y los bolsillos llenos de panfletos. Pero lo cierto es que Jo no era una protagonista de una novela, sino una joven real, que luchaba por salir adelante en la vida, como hacen cientos de mujeres, y actuó conforme a su naturaleza, sintiéndose enfadada, triste, lánguida o animada según los casos.”

“Los hombres rara vez lo hace, porque, cuando una mujer aconseja algo, los amos de la creación no aceptan sus instrucciones hasta estar seguros de que coinciden con lo que ellos mismos pretenden hacer. Entonces pasan a la acción, y si sale bien, conceden la mitad del mérito a la parte más débil, mientras que si no resulta, en un alarde de generosidad, le atribuyen la totalidad de la responsabilidad.”

“He wanted Jo for his heroine, and called upon his memory to supply him with tender recollections and romantic visions of his love. But memory turned traitor, and as if possessed by the perverse spirit of the girl, would only recall Jo's oddities, faults, and freaks, would only show her in the most unsentimental aspects – beating mats with her head tied up in a bandana, barricading herself with the sofa pillow, or throwing cold water over his passion a la Gummidge – and an irresistable laugh spoiled the pensive picture he was endeavoring to paint. Jo wouldn't be put into the opera at any price, and he had to give her up with a 'Bless that girl, what a torment she is!' (...)”

“—No entiendo. ¿Qué puede haber en una historia tan corta y sencilla para que la gente la alabe de ese modo? —preguntó con auténtica perplejidad. —Es una obra sincera, Jo, ése es su secreto, y el humor y el pathos le dan la vida. Creo que al fin has encontrado tu estilo. Has escrito sin pensar en la fama o el dinero y has puesto tu corazón en el texto, hija mía. Tú has probado lo amargo, ahora viene lo dulce.”