Best 357 quotes of Louisa May Alcott on MyQuotes

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.

A faithful friend is a strong defense; And he that hath found him hath found a treasure.

A holiday isn't a holiday, without plenty of freedom and fun.

A kiss for a blow is always best, though it's not very easy to give it sometimes.

A little kingdom I possess, where thoughts and feelings dwell; And very hard the task I find of governing it well.

All is fish that comes to the literary net. Goethe puts his joys and sorrows into poems, I turn my adventures into bread and butter.

All the worse for the undeniable talent which hides the evil so subtly and makes the danger so delightful.

...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.

...and clung more closely to the dear human love, from which our Father never means us to be weaned, but through which He draws us closer to Himself.

And the good fairy said, I won't leave you money or pretty dresses but I will leave you the spirit to seek your fortune from your own efforts.

...and the most intense desire gave force to her passionate words as the girl glanced despairingly about the dreary room like a caged creature on the point of breaking loose.

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.

A quick temper, sharp tongue, and restless spirit were always getting her into scrapes, and her life was a series of ups and downs, which were both comic and pathetic.

A real gentleman is as polite to a little girl as to a woman.

At twenty-five, girls begin to talk about being old maids, but secretly resolve that they never will. At thirty, they say nothing about it, but quietly accept the fact.

Back to him she would never go, but in her lonely life still lived the sweet memory of that happy time when she believed in him and he was all in all to her.

... because I have fallen in love with so many pretty girls and never once the least bit with any man.

Beth ceased to fear him from that moment, and sat there talking to him as cozily as if she had known him all her life, for love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride.

Beth could not reason upon or explain the faith that gave her courage and patience to give up life, and cheerfully wait for death. Like a confiding child, she asked no questions, but left everything to God and nature, Father and Mother of us all, feeling sure that they, and they only, could teach and strengthen heart and spirit for this life and the life to come.

Books are always good company if you have the right sort.

books have been my greatest comfort, castle-building a never-failing delight, and scribbling a very profitable amusement.

But buds will be roses, and kittens, cats - more's the pity.

But many of the bravest never are known, and get no praise. That does not lessen their beauty.

But please hug and kiss me, everyone, and don't mind my dress, I want a great many crumples of this sort put into it today.

But, Polly, a principle that can't bear being laughed at, frowned on, and cold-shouldered, isn't worthy of the name.

But the spirit of Eve is strong in all her daughters.

Cast your bread upon the waters, and after many days it will come back buttered.

Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled Jo, lying on the rug. "It's so dreadful to be poor!" sighed Meg, looking down at her old dress. "I don't think it's fair for some girls to have plenty of pretty things, and other girls nothing at all," added little Amy, with an injured sniff. "We've got Father and Mother, and each other," said Beth contentedly from her corner.

Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents.

Conceit spoils the finest genius?and the great charm of all power is modesty.

Conceit spoils the finest genius.

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.

Dear me! how happy and good we'd be, if we had no worries!

Dear me, if men and women would only trust, understand, and help one another as my children do, what a capital place the world would be!

Dolls are safe companions.

Don't cry so bitterly, but remember this day, and resolve with all your soul that you will never know another like it.

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.

Don't mind me. I'm as happy as a cricket here.

Don't shut yourself up in a band box because you are a woman, but understand what is going on, and educate yourself to take part in the world's work, for it all affects you and yours.

During the fifteen minutes that followed, the proud and sensitive girl suffered a shame and pain which she never forgot. To others it might seem a ludicrous or trivial affair, but to her it was a hard experience, for during the twelve years of her life she had been governed by love alone

Education is not confined to books, and the finest characters often graduate from no college, but make experience their master, and life their book. [Some care] only for the mental culture, and [are] in danger of over-studying, under the delusion . . . that learning must be had at all costs, forgetting that health and real wisdom are better.

Elegance has a bad effect on my constitution.

Energy is more attractive than beauty in a man.

Every few weeks she would shut herself up in her room, put on her scribbling suit, and fall into a vortex, as she expressed it, writing away at her novel with all her heart and soul, for till that was finished she could find no peace.

Every house needs a grandmother in it.

Fame is a very good thing to have in the house, but cash is more convenient.

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations.

Father asked us what was God's noblest work. Anna said men, but I said babies. Men are often bad, but babies never are.

Fathers and mothers are too absorbed in business and housekeeping to study their children, and cherish that sweet and natural confidence which is a child's surest safeguard, and a parent's subtlest power.

…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.