Quotessence
Home / Authors / Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott

Louisa May Alcott Quotes

Novelist

Filter quotes by topic

AllLittle WomenMujercitasIfsMenPeopleGirlHeartThinkingWorldLittlesLoveSweetWellsLouisa May AlcottWomenJoBookInspirationalLaurieMother

Famous Louisa May Alcott Quotes

“You do me proud, Captain. But, dear, I want to say one thing and then I'm done; for you don't need much advice of mine after my good man has spoken. I read somewhere that every inch of rope in the British Navy has a strand of red in it, so wherever a bit of it is found it is known. That is the text of my little sermon to you. Virtue, which means honour, honesty, courage, and all that makes character, is the red thread that marks a good man wherever he is. Keep that always and everywhere, so that even if wrecked by misfortune, that sign shall still be found and recognized. Yours is a rough life, and your mates not all we could wish, but you can be a gentleman in the true sense of the word; and no matter what happens to your body, keep your soul clean, your heart true to those who love you, and do your duty to the end.”

InspirationalCourageVirtueHonestyHonourLittle WomenHonourable
Book:Jo's Boys
Create image

“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.”

MenWomenLittle WomenLouisa May Alcott
Book:Little Women
Create image

“My sisters don’t be afraid of the words “old maid,” for it is in your power to make this a term of honor, not reproach. It is not necessary to be a sour, spiteful spinster, with nothing to do but brew tear, talk scandal and tend a pocket handkerchief. No, the world is full of work, needing all the heads, hearts, and hands we can bring to do it. Never was there so splendid an opportunity for women to enjoy their liberty and prove that they deserve it by using it wisely. If love comes as it should come, accept it in God’s name and be worthy of His best blessing. If it never comes, then in God’s name, reject the shadow of it, for that can never satisfy a hungry heart. Do not be ashamed to own the truth—do not be daunted by the fear of ridicule and loneliness, nor saddened by the loss of a woman’s tenderest ties. Be true to yourself; cherish whatever talent you possess, and in using it faithfully for the good of others, you will most assuredly find happiness for yourself, and make of life no failure, but a beautiful success.”

WomenFeminismSingle LifeLittle Women
Author:Louisa May Alcott
Create image

“My sisters don’t be afraid of the words “old maid,” for it is in your power to make this a term of honor, not reproach. It is not necessary to be a sour, spiteful spinster, with nothing to do but brew tear, talk scandal and tend a pocket handkerchief. No, the world is full of work, needing all the heads, hearts, and hands we can bring to do it. Never was there so splendid an opportunity for women to enjoy their liberty and prove that they deserve it by using it wisely. 4 minutes ago Heidi M If love comes as it should come, accept it in God’s name and be worthy of His best blessing. If it never comes, then in God’s name, reject the shadow of it, for that can never satisfy a hungry heart. 4 minutes ago Do not be ashamed to own the truth—do not be daunted by the fear of ridicule and loneliness, nor saddened by the loss of a woman’s tenderest ties. Be true to yourself; cherish whatever talent you possess, and in using it faithfully for the good of others, you will most assuredly find happiness for yourself, and make of life no failure, but a beautiful success.”

WomenFeminismSingle LifeLittle Women
Author:Louisa May Alcott
Create image

“Rome took all the vanity out of me, for after seeing the wonders there, I felt too insignificant to live, and gave up all my foolish hopes in despair." "Why should you, with so much energy and talent?" "That's just why, because talent isn't genius, and no amount of energy can make it so. I want to be great, or nothing. I won't be a common-place dauber, so I don't intend to try anymore.”

ArtRome19th CenturyAmerican LiteratureLittle WomenClassic LiteratureLouisa May AlcottQuotes About ArtAmy March19th Century Literature
Book:Little Women
Create image

“When the sun peeped into the girls' room early next morning...he saw a comical sight. Each had made such preparation for the fete as seemed necessary and proper. Meg had an extra row of little curl papers across her forehead, Jo had copiously anointed her afflicted face with cold cream. Beth had taken Joanna to bed with her to atone for the approaching separation, and Amy had capped the climax by putting a clothespin on her nose, to uplift the offending feature. It was one of the kind artists use to hold their paper on the drawing boards, therefore quite appropriate and effective for the purpose to which it was now put. This funny spectacle appeared to amuse the sun, for he burst out with such radiance that Jo woke up, and roused the girls with a hearty laugh at Amy's ornament.”

MorningSunComicalLittle WomenCamp Lawrence
Book:Little Women
Create image

“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
Create image

“I'd have a stable full of Arabian steeds, rooms piled with books, and I'd write out of a magic inkstand, so that my works should be as famous as Laurie's music. I want to do something splendid before I go into my castle,-something heroic, or wonderful,-that won't be forgotten after I'm dead. I don't know what, but I'm on the watch for it, and mean to astonish you all, some day. I think I shall write books, and get rich and famous; that would suit me, so that is my favorite dream.”

ThinkingKnowsWantShouldWritingMeanBookDreamRoomsWatchesRichWonderfulMagicForgottenMy FavoriteSuitsHeroicStableCastlesSplendidGet RichLittle WomenArabian
Book:Little Women: Or, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy
Create image

“If we are all alive ten years hence, let's meet, and see how many of us have got our wishes, or how much nearer we are then than now.”

IfsYearsWishAliveTenLittle Women
Book:Greatest Christmas Novels in One Volume: Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, Heidi, The Romance of a Christmas Card, The Little City of Hope, The Wonderful Life, Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, Little Lord Fauntleroy, Peter Pan…
Create image

“I’m not like the rest of you; I never made any plans about what I’d do when I grew up; I never thought of being married, as you did. I couldn’t seem to imagine myself anything but stupid little Beth, trotting about at home, of no use anywhere but there. I never wanted to go away, and the hard part now is leaving you all. I’m not afraid, but it seems as if I should be homesick for you even in heaven.”

IfsShouldLittlesMadeHardUseHomeSeemsWantedHeavenImaginePlansStupidGrewMarriedGrew UpLeavingGoing AwayNot AfraidBeing MarriedHomesickLittle WomenBethTrotting
Book:Annotated Little Women with English Grammar Exercises: by Louisa May Alcott (Author), Robert Powell (Editor)
Create image

“Don't laugh at the spinsters, dear girls, for often very tender, tragic romances are hidden away in the hearts that beat so quietly under the sober gowns, and many silent sacrifices of youth, health, ambition, love itself, make the faded faces beautiful in God's sight. Even the sad, sour sisters should be kindly dealt with, because they have missed the sweetest part of life, if for no other reason.”

IfsShouldHeartReasonBeautifulFacesRomanceGirlWomenLaughingSacrificeYouthAmbitionBeatsSightSilentDearTragicSoberSweetestParts Of LifeFadedSourGownsLittle WomenSpinsters
Book:Little Women
Create image

“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 poor men's wives, if you were happy, beloved, contented, than queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace.”

IfsThinkingMenWantFirstsWellsSelfHappinessUsedPoorMoneyWifeStriveNobleQueensBelovedSelf RespectPrizeThronesPoor ManPrecious ThingsLittle WomenHappy And Contented
Book:Little Women
Create image

“I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship.”

InspirationalWisdomFearHealingLearningSelf EsteemAdventureConfidenceEmpowermentOvercomingStrongerPerseveranceStormShipsNovelistsHard TimesSelf MotivationHardshipNot AfraidSailSailingEmpoweredEmpowering WomenOvercoming AdversityGirl PowerLoving YourselfBeing A WomanBeing AfraidPowerful WomenChildren's BooksFamous WomenEmpowered WomenWomen Empowering WomenInspirational WomenNauticalInspirational Strong WomenSelf Esteem And ConfidenceLittle WomenSailing And The SeaWomen PowerInspire WomenChildren's LiteratureStrong Women And LoveChildren BookConquering FearSailing ShipsStorms Of LifeStrong InspirationalShips At SeaSailboatSailors And The SeaGetting StrongerEmpowering LoveAdversity And StrengthConfidence LoveStrength In AdversityFamous Women InspirationalBe Strong And CourageousInspirational Stay StrongBoldness And CourageSailing And LoveGrown WomenSelf EmpoweringTall Ships
Book:Greatest Christmas Novels in One Volume: Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, Heidi, The Romance of a Christmas Card, The Little City of Hope, The Wonderful Life, Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, Little Lord Fauntleroy, Peter Pan…
Create image

“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.”

LoveInspirationalTryingBelieveLooksMayI CanDreamMotivationalSuccessPurposeHopeI BelieveWomenGoalImaginationLeadershipBeautyVisionAchieveSelf EsteemSucceedAmbitionHighestAimAddictionFollowingAccomplishNovelistsAspirationLook UpBelieve In YourselfReachingSunshineFar AwayGraduationFollow Your DreamsKey To SuccessMy ImaginationAlcoholismSetting GoalsFollow Your HeartRoad To SuccessRecipe For SuccessBe True To YourselfDrug AddictionDrug AddictChase Your DreamsRecoveringAim HighLittle WomenKeep BelievingAddiction RecoveryAlcohol AddictionI Am WomanPower Of ImaginationVisions And DreamsDreams And AspirationsDrug Addiction RecoveryGreat ImaginationReaching SuccessGoals DreamsAddicts In RecoveryHappy SunshineImagination And DreamsInspirational Addiction RecoveryDreaming And SuccessInspirational RecoveryAlcohol RecoveryDrug RecoveryMotivational RecoveryInspirational Drug RecoveryMy SunshineSober UpDreaming Big And GoalsReaching UpGoals And Aspirations
Book:Work: A Story of Experience: Easyread Large Bold Edition
Create image

“Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success.”

LifeInspirationalWellsPlayAgeBeautifulHoursYouthRegretProveOld AgePleasantEach DayBirthdayGood LifeDayDelightfulGetting OlderBeautiful LifeRegularityBest SuccessLittle WomenEmployingWork And Play
Book:Little Women (Illustrated Edition)
Create image

“I like good strong words that mean something.”

MeanStrongLittle WomenStrong Words
Book:The Complete Little Women Series: Little Women, Good Wives, Little Men, Jo's Boys: The Beloved Classics of American Literature: The coming-of-age series based on the author’s own childhood experiences with her three sisters
Create image

“But, like all happiness, it did not last long.”

LongLastsLittle Women
Book:Greatest Christmas Novels in One Volume: Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, Heidi, The Romance of a Christmas Card, The Little City of Hope, The Wonderful Life, Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, Little Lord Fauntleroy, Peter Pan…
Create image