Louisa May Alcott (Writer)

Far away 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.

The child has talent, loves music, and needs help. I can't give her money, but I can teach her; so I do, and she is the most promising pupil I have. Help one another, is part of the religion of our sisterhood, Fan.

— Louisa May Alcott love

I believe that it is as much a right and duty for women to do something with their lives as for men and we are not going to be satisfied with such frivolous parts as you give us.

— Louisa May Alcott women

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.

— Louisa May Alcott life

Housekeeping ain't no joke.

— Louisa May Alcott

"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. The four young faces on which the firelight shone brightened at the cheerful words, but darkened again as Jo said sadly, "We haven't got Father, and shall not have him for a long time." She didn't say "perhaps never," but each silently added it, thinking of Father far away, where the fighting was.

— Louisa May Alcott time

You think your temper is the worst in the world, but mine used to be just like it. ... I've been trying to cure it for forty years, and have only succeeded in controlling it. 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. ... I've learned to check the hasty words that rise to my lips, and when I feel that they mean to break out against my will, I just go away for a minute, and give myself a little shake for being so weak and wicked.

— Louisa May Alcott life

If people really want to go, and really try all their lives, I think they will get in; for I don’t believe there are any locks on that door, or any guards at the gate. I always imagine it is as it is in the picture, where the shining ones stretch out their hands to welcome poor Christian as he comes up from the river.

— Louisa May Alcott people

It takes people a long time to learn the difference between talent and genius, especially ambitious young men and women.

— Louisa May Alcott women

Love is a great beautifier.

— Louisa May Alcott great

She had a womanly instinct that clothes possess an influence more powerful over many than the worth of character or the magic of manners.

— Louisa May Alcott power

Girls are so queer you never know what they mean. They say no when they mean yes, and drive a man out of his wits just for the fun of it.

— Louisa May Alcott man

It was not a fashionable place, but even among the pleasant people there, the girls made few friends, preferring to live for one another.

— Louisa May Alcott people

Love is the only thing that we can carry with us when we go, and it makes the end so easy.

— Louisa May Alcott wit

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.

— Louisa May Alcott women

The invigorating air did them both good, and much exercise worked wholesome changes in minds as well as bodies. They seemed to get clearer views of life and duty up there among the everlasting hills. The fresh winds blew away desponding doubts, delusive fancies, and moody mists. The warm spring sunshine brought out all sorts of aspiring ideas, tender hopes, and happy thoughts. The lake seemed to wash away the troubles of the past, and the grand old mountains to look benignly down upon them saying, "Little children, love one another."

— Louisa May Alcott love

I love my gallant captain with all my heart and soul and might, and never will desert him, while God lets us be together. Oh, Mother, I never knew how much like heaven this world could be, when two people love and live for one another!

— Louisa May Alcott love

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

— Louisa May Alcott learning

It takes two flints to make a fire.

— Louisa May Alcott fire

I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship.

— Louisa May Alcott learning

We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving, and we all have the power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing.

— Louisa May Alcott life

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.

— Louisa May Alcott beauty

Good books, like good friends, are few and chosen; the more select, the more enjoyable.

— Louisa May Alcott books

Women have been called queens for a long time, but the kingdom given them isn't worth ruling.

— Louisa May Alcott time

Conceit spoils the finest genius. There is not much danger that real talent or goodness will be overlooked long; even if it is, the consciousness of possessing and using it well should satisfy one, and the great charm of all power is modesty.

— Louisa May Alcott power

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.

— Louisa May Alcott life

Do the things you know, and you shall learn the truth you need to know.

— Louisa May Alcott truth

People don't have fortunes left them in that style nowadays; men have to work and women to marry for money. It's a dreadfully unjust world.

— Louisa May Alcott women

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

— Louisa May Alcott faith

What do girls do who haven't any mothers to help them through their troubles?

— Louisa May Alcott mother

Money is the root of all evil, and yet it is such a useful root that we cannot get on without it any more than we can without potatoes.

— Louisa May Alcott evil

Painful as it may be, a significant emotional event can be the catalyst for choosing a direction that serves us - and those around us - more effectively. Look for the learning.

— Louisa May Alcott learning

I like to help women help themselves, as that is, in my opinion, the best way to settle the woman question. Whatever we can do and do well we have a right to, and I don't think any one will deny us.

— Louisa May Alcott women

He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions.

— Louisa May Alcott action

Let my name stand among those who are willing to bear ridicule and reproach for the truth's sake, and so earn some right to rejoice when the victory is won.

— Louisa May Alcott truth

You have a good many little gifts and virtues, but there is no need of parading them, for conceit spoils the finest genius. There is not much danger that real talent or goodness will be overlooked long, and the great charm of all power is modesty.

— Louisa May Alcott power

Happy is the son whose faith in his mother remains unchallenged.

— Louisa May Alcott faith

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

— Louisa May Alcott thoughts

'Stay' is a charming word in a friend's vocabulary.

— Louisa May Alcott friend

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

— Louisa May Alcott work

Some people seemed to get all sunshine, and some all shadow.

— Louisa May Alcott people

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