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Louisa May Alcott

Louisa May Alcott Quotes

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Famous Louisa May Alcott Quotes

“... a kind little thought, an unselfish little act, a cheery little word, are so sweet and comfortable, that no one can fail to feel their beauty and love the giver, no matter how small they are. Mothers do a deal of this sort of thing, unseen, unthanked, but felt and remembered long afterward, and never lost, for this is the simple magic that binds hearts together, and keeps home happy.”

InspirationalHome LifeLoving Family
Book:An Old-fashioned Girl
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“Have I been all that to you, Jo?” she asked, with wistful, humble earnestness. “Oh, Beth, so much!” And Jo’s head went down upon the pillow besides her sister’s. “Then I don’t feel as I’d wasted my life. I’m not so good as you make me, but I have tried to do right; and now, when it’s too late to begin even to do better, it’s such a comfort to know that someone loves me so much, and feels as if I’d helped them.” “More than any one in the world, Beth. I used to think I couldn’t let you go, but I’m learning to feel that I don’t lose you, that you’ll be more to me than ever, and death can’t part us, though it seems to.”

Little WomenBethJoMarch SistersJo And Beth
Book:Little Women
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“She did not think herself a genius by any means; but when the writing fit came on, she gave herself up to it with entire abandon, and led a blissful life, unconscious of want, care, or bad weather, while she sat safe and happy in an imaginary world, full of friends almost as real and dear to her as any in the flesh. Sleep forsook her eyes, meals stood untasted, day and night were all too short to enjoy the happiness which blessed her only at such times, and made these hours worth living, even if they bore no other fruit.”

Writing
Book:Little Women
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“Como eran unas jovencitas muy inteligentes, decidieron seguir el consejo y pronto se sorprendieron al comprobar lo afortunadas que eran. Una descubrió que el dinero no podía evitar la vergüenza y la pena entrasen en una casa, por rica que esta fuese; otra, que se creía pobre, entendido que gracias a su juventud, su buen humor y su salud era más feliz que cierta anciana cascarrabias que no sabía gozar de su posición; una tercera comprendió que, por desagradable que resultase tener que preparar la cena, era mucho peor tener que mendigar para poder cocinarla, y la cuarta comprobó que ser buena valía más que tener una sortija de cornalina.”

HumildadJuventudMujercitasFortaleza
Book:Mujercitas
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“The snores alone were quite a study, varying from the mild sniff to the stentorian snort, which startled the echoes and hoisted the performer erect to accuse his neighbor of the deed, magnanimously forgive him, and wrapping the drapery of his couch about him, lie down to vocal slumber. After listening for a week to this band of wind instruments, I indulged in the belief that I could recognize each by the snore alone, and was tempted to join the chorus by breaking out with John Brown's favorite hymn: "Blow ye the trumpet, blow!”

HumorCivil War Narrative
Book:Hospital Sketches
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“Here, my man, just hold it this way, while I look into it a bit," he said one day to Fitz G., putting a wounded arm into the keeping of a sound one, and proceeding to poke about among bits of bone and visible muscles, in a red and black chasm made by some infernal machine of the shot or shell description. Poor Fitz held on like a grim Death, ashamed to show fear before a woman, till it grew more than he could bear in silence; and, after a few smothered groans,he looked at me imploringly, as if he said, "I wouldn't, ma'am, if I could help it," and fainted quietly away. Dr. P. looked up, gave a compassionate sort of cluck, and poked away more busily than ever, with a nod at me and a brief—"Never mind; be so good as to hold this till I finish." I obeyed, cherishing the while a strong desire to insinuate a few of his own disagreeable knives and scissors into him, and see how he liked it. A very disrespectful and ridiculous fancy of course; for he was doing all that could be done, and the arm prospered finely in his hands. But the human mind is prone to prejudice; and though a personable man, speaking French like a born "Parley voo," and whipping off legs like an animated guillotine, I must confess to a sense of relief when he was ordered elsewhere; and suspect that several of the men would have faced a rebel battery with less trepidation than they did Dr. P., when he came briskly in on his morning round.”

Civil War Narrative19th Century Medicine
Book:Hospital Sketches
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“As no two persons see the same thing with the same eyes, my view of hospital life must be taken through my glass, and held for what it is worth. Certainly, nothing was set down in malice, and to the serious-minded party who objected to a tone of levity in some portions of the Sketches, I can only say that it is a part of my religion to look well after the cheerfulnesses of life, and let the dismals shift for themselves; believing, with good Sir Thomas More, that it is wise to "be merrie in God.”

EpistolaryCivil War Narrative19th Century Medicine
Book:Hospital Sketches
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“Constant complaints were being made of incompetent attendants, and some dozen women did double duty, and then were blamed for breaking down. If any hospital director fancies this a good and economical arrangement, allow one used up nurse to tell him it isn't, and beg him to spare the sisterhood, who sometimes, in their sympathy, forget that they are mortal, and run the risk of being made immortal, sooner than is agreeable to their partial friends.”

Civil War Narrative19th Century Medicine
Book:Hospital Sketches
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“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 AlcottPairingAn Old Fashioned Girl
Book:An Old-fashioned Girl
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“Seeing this did more for Jo than the wisest sermons, the saintliest hymns, the most fervent prayers that any voice could utter. For with eyes made clear by many tears, and a heart softened by the tenderest sorrow, she recognized the beauty of her sister's life––uneventful, unambitious, yet full of the genuine virtues which 'smell sweet, and blossom in the dust', the self–forgetfulness that makes the humblest on earth remembered soonest in heaven, the true success which is possible to all.”

KindDeathHeavenBeautySorrowGoodnessGoodEthicalVirtuous
Author:Louisa May Alcott
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“My dear girls, I am ambitious for you, but not to have you make a dash in the world,—marry rich men merely because they are rich, or have splendid houses, which are not homes because love is wanting. Money is a needful and precious thing,—and, when well used, a noble thing,—but I never want you to think it is the first or only prize to strive for. I'd rather see you a poor men's wives, if you were happy, beloved, contended, than queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace.”

WisdomMarriageDaughters
Author:Louisa May Alcott
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