Famous Louisa May Alcott Quotations

First 1 Last 
"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 for the fun of it."
by Louisa May Alcott
"Housekeeping ain't no joke."
by Louisa May Alcott
"Life is my college. May I graduate well, and earn some honors."
by Louisa May Alcott
"Be comforted, dear soul! There is always light behind the clouds."
by Louisa May Alcott
"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."
by Louisa May Alcott
"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 them."
by Louisa May Alcott
"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."
by Louisa May Alcott
"I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning to sail my ship."
by Louisa May Alcott
"I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship."
by Louisa May Alcott
"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."
by Louisa May Alcott
"I shall love her all my life, shall be to her a faithful friend, and if I can not remain loyal to both God and her I shall renounce her and never see her face again. You call this folly; to me it is a hard duty, and the more I love her the worthier of her will I endevour to become by my own integrity of soul."
by Louisa May Alcott
"I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship."
by Louisa May Alcott
"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."
by Louisa May Alcott
"Love is a great beautifier."
by Louisa May Alcott
"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."
by Louisa May Alcott
"She preserved to the age of fifty-six that contempt for ideas which is normal among boys and girls of fifteen."
by Odell Shepherd (about Louisa May Alcott)
"It takes two flints to make a fire."
by Louisa May Alcott
"She had a womanly instinct that clothes possess an influence more powerful over many than the worth of character or the magic of manners."
by Louisa May Alcott
"It takes people a long time to learn the difference between talent and genius, especially ambitious young men and women."
by Louisa May Alcott
"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."
by Louisa May Alcott
"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."
by Louisa May Alcott
"Simple, sincere people seldom speak much of their piety. It shows itself in acts rather than in words, and has more influence than homilies or protestations. 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. She did not rebuke Jo with saintly speeches, only loved her better for her passionate affection, 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. She could not say, I'm glad to go, for life was very sweet for her. She could only sob out, I try to be willing, while she held fast to Jo, as the first bitter wave of this great sorrow broke over them together."
by Louisa May Alcott
"What do girls do who haven't any mothers to help them through their troubles?"
by Louisa May Alcott
"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."
by Louisa May Alcott
"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."
by Louisa May Alcott
"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 commonplace dauber, so I don't intend to try any more."
by Louisa May Alcott


Hire a Writer