Louisa May Alcott
I never knew how much like heaven this world could be, when two people love and live for one another!Collection: Two
Jo's breath gave out here, and wrapping her head in the paper, she bedewed her little story with a few natural tears, for to be independent and earn the praise of those she loved were the dearest wishes of her heart, and this seemed to be the first step toward that happy end.Collection: Heart
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.Collection: Summer
A kiss for a blow is always best, though it's not very easy to give it sometimes.Collection: Kissing
It is never too early to try and plant [good principles] in a child, and never too late to cultivate them in the most neglected person.Collection: Children
Oh dear, life is pretty tough sometimes, isn't it?Collection: Tough
To be strong, and beautiful, and go round making music all the time. Yes, she could do that, and with a very earnest prayer Polly asked for the strength of an upright soul, the beauty of a tender heart, the power to make her life a sweet and stirring song, helpful while it lasted, remembered when it died.Collection: Beautiful
I am lonely, sometimes, but I dare say it's good for me.Collection: Lonely
... for it is the small temptations which undermine integrity unless we watch and pray and never think them too trivial to be resisted.Collection: Integrity
Simple, sincere people seldom speak much of their piety; it shows itself in acts rather than words, and has more influence than homilies or protestations.Collection: Simple
I mean that it is more natural for me to be wicked than virtuous, when I do a bad act, and I've done many, I never feel wither shame, remorse or fear, I sometimes wish it was not necessary as I don't like the trouble, but as for any moral sense of principle, I haven't a particle. Many people are like me as actions prove, but they are not so frank in owning it and insist on keeping up the humbug of virtue.Collection: Mean
To me, love isn't all. I must look up, not down, trust and honor with my whole heart, and find strenght and integrity to lean onCollection: Integrity
Is it not meningitis?Collection: Dying
…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.Collection: Book
You don’t need scores of suitors. You need only one… if he’s the right one.Collection: Needs
Poor dull Concord. Nothing colorful has come through here since the Redcoats.Collection: Dull
Good, old-fashioned ways keep hearts sweet, heads sane, hands busy.Collection: Sweet
In the midst of her tears came the thought, "When people are in danger, they ask God to save them;" and, slipping down upon her knees, she said her prayer as she had never said it before, for when human help seems gone we turn to Him as naturally as lost children cry to their father, and feel sure that he will hear and answer them.Collection: Prayer
books have been my greatest comfort, castle-building a never-failing delight, and scribbling a very profitable amusement.Collection: Book
...a capital patient, as she never died and never got well.Collection: Patient
I am angry nearly every day of my life, but I have learned not to show it; and I still try to hope not to feel it, though it may take me another forty years to do it.Collection: Anger
Such hours are beautiful to live, but very hard to describe.Collection: Beautiful
The young people were playing that still more absorbing game in which hearts are always trumps.Collection: Heart
Jo's face was a study next day, for the secret rather weighed upon her, and she found it hard not to look mysterious and important. Meg observed it, but did not troubled herself to make inquiries, for she had learned that the best way to manage Jo was by the law of contraries, so she felt sure of being told everything if she did not ask.Collection: Law
And when they went away, leaving comfort behind, I think there were not in all the city four merrier people than the hungry little girls who gave away their breakfasts and contented themselves with bread and milk on Christmas morning.Collection: Christmas
... because I have fallen in love with so many pretty girls and never once the least bit with any man.Collection: Girl
politics were as bad as mathematics, and that the mission of politicians seemed to be calling each other namesCollection: Names
No love or pity, pardon or excuse should soften the sharp pang of reparation for the guilty man.Collection: Men
A child her wayward pencil drew On margins of her book; Garlands of flower, dancing elves, Bud, butterfly, and brook, Lessons undone, and plum forgot, Seeking with hand and heart The teacher whom she learned to love Before she knew t'was Art.Collection: Teacher
I want to be great, or nothing. I won't be a commonplace dauber, so I don't intend to try any more.Collection: Trying
My father taught in the wise way which unfolds what lies in the childCollection: Wise
Oh, Jo, how could you? Your one beauty.Collection: Little Women
November is the most disagreeable month in the whole year.Collection: Years
Madam de Stael pronounced architecture to be frozen music; so is statuary crystalized spirituality.Collection: Sculpture
Rivalry adds so much to the charms of one's conquests.Collection: Add
I'll try and be what he loves to call me, 'a little woman,' and not be rough and wild, but do my duty here instead of wanting to be somewhere else.Collection: Father
The moment Aunt March took her nap, or was busy with company, Jo hurried to this quiet place, and curling herself up in the easy chair, devoured poetry, romance, history, travels, and pictures like a regular bookworm.Collection: Aunt
I'm perfectly miserable; but if you consider me presentable, I die happy.Collection: Miserable
Mine first --mine last-- mine even in the grave!Collection: Lasts
Love Jo all your days, if you choose, but don't let it spoil you, for it's wicked to throw away so many good gifts because you can't have the one you want.Collection: Unrequited Love
When I had the youth I had no money, now I have the money I have no time, and when I get the time, if I ever do, I shall have no health to enjoy life.Collection: Enjoy Life
I shall keep my book on the table here, and read a little every morning as soon as I wake, for I know it will do me good, and help me through the day.Collection: Morning
Laurie felt just then that his heart was entirely broken and the world a howling wilderness.Collection: Heart
…in silence learned the sweet solace which affection administers to sorrow.Collection: Sweet
I love my liberty too well to be in a hurry to give it up for any mortal man.Collection: Men
The girls gave their hearts into their mother's keeping-their souls into their father's; and to both parents, who lived and labored so faithfully for them, they gave a love that grew with their growth, and bound them tenderly together by the sweetest tie which blesses life and outlives death.Collection: Girl
...and best of all, the wilderness of books, in which she could wander, where she liked, made the library a region of bliss to her.Collection: Book
I for one don't want to be ranked among idiots, felons, and minors any longer, for I am none of them.Collection: Want
I can't get over my disappointment in not being a boy.Collection: Disappointment