Little Women (Little Women, #1)

by Louisa May Alcott

“I don’t believe fine young ladies enjoy themselves a bit more than we do, in spite of our burned hair, old gowns, one glove apiece and tight slippers that sprain our ankles when we are silly enough to wear them.” And I think Jo was quite right.

she had not yet learned to know how rich she was in the blessings which alone can make life happy.

There are many Beths in the world, shy and quiet, sitting in corners till needed, and living for others so cheerfully that no one sees the sacrifices till the little cricket on the hearth stops chirping, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind.

He was a fine man, my dear, but what is better, he was a brave and an honest one, and I was proud to be his friend.”

She never knew that Mr. Laurence opened his study door to hear the old-fashioned airs he liked. She never saw Laurie mount guard in the hall to warn the servants away.

I don’t like your gown, but I do think you are just splendid.”

Learn to know and value the praise which is worth having, and to excite the admiration of excellent people by being modest as well as pretty, Meg.”

To be loved and chosen by a good man is the best and sweetest thing which can happen to a woman, and I sincerely hope my girls may know this beautiful experience.

I’m Jo, and never shall be anything else.

learned to see the beauty and the sweetness of Beth’s nature, to feel how deep and tender a place she filled in all hearts, and to acknowledge the worth of Beth’s unselfish ambition to live for others,

“I almost wish I hadn’t any conscience, it’s so inconvenient.

hoping to soothe him with a little reason, which proved that she knew nothing about love.

I’m not afraid, but it seems as if I should be homesick for you even in heaven.”

“Now I’m going to play brother, and ask questions. May I?” “I don’t promise to answer.” “Your face will, if your tongue won’t.

you are contented to be petted and admired by silly people, instead of being loved and respected by wise ones.

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.

They will turn to you, don’t fail them, and if it’s hard to work alone, remember that I don’t forget you, and that you’ll be happier in doing that than writing splendid books or seeing all the world, for love is the only thing that we can carry with us when we go, and it makes the end so easy.”

The wound persisted in healing with a rapidity that astonished him, and instead of trying to forget, he found himself trying to remember.

I am lonely, and perhaps if Teddy had tried again, I might have said ‘Yes,’ not because I love him any more, but because I care more to be loved than when he went away.”

marriage, they say, halves one’s rights and doubles one’s duties.”

“Lovely weather so far. I don’t know how long it will last, but I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.

Mr. Bhaer could read several languages, but he had not learned to read women yet.

You can do your part out West, I can do mine here, and both be happy hoping for the best, and leaving the future to be as God wills.”

“I don’t think I ever ought to call myself ‘unlucky Jo’ again, when my greatest wish has been so beautifully gratified,” said Mrs. Bhaer, taking Teddy’s little fist out of the milk pitcher, in which he was rapturously churning. “And yet your life is very different from the one you pictured so long ago. Do you remember our castles in the air?” asked Amy, smiling as she watched Laurie and John playing cricket with the boys.