Little Women

by Louisa May Alcott

I don't know how I missed this wonderful author when I was a girl (guess I was busy reading all the boys books), but I have found her now.

Orchard House - Louisa home where she wrote Little Women

My Favorite quotes from Little Women -

Although Louisa has some very insightful comments and wisdom as shown through the characters in Little Women. This is a bunch of quote that I compiled for a book club. I could have put in many more, but I had to choose only my favorites.

Chapter 1 “Playing Pilgrims”

“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,” said Jo, thinking that keeping her temper at home was a much harder task than facing a rebel or two down South.”

Chapter 8 “Jo Meets Apollyon”

“Oh, mother, if I’m ever half as good as you I shall be satisfied,” cried Jo, much touched." I hope you will be a great deal better, dear; but you must keep watch over your “bosom enemy,’ as father calls it, or it my sadden, if not spoil your life. You have had a warning; remember it, and try with heart and soul to master this quick temper, before it brings you greater sorrow and regret than you have known today.”

Chapter 9 “Meg Goes to Vanity Fair”

“I want my daughters to be beautiful, accomplished, and good; to be admired, loved and respected; to have a happy youth, to be well and wisely married, and to lead useful, pleasant lives, with as little care and sorrow to try them as God sees fit to send. 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. It is natural to think of it, Meg; right to hope and wait for it, and wise to prepare for it; so that, when the happy time comes, you may feel ready for the duties and worthy of the joy. My dear girls, I am ambitious for you, but not to have you make a dash in the world—marry rich men merely because they are rich, or have splendid houses, which are not homes because love is wanting. Money is a needful and precious thing—and, when well used, a noble thing—but I never want you to think it is the first or only prize to strive for. I’d rather see you poor men’s wives, if you were happy, beloved, contented, than queens on thrones without self-respect and peace.”

Chapter 20 “Confidential”

“Money is a good and useful thing, Jo; and I hope my girls will never feel the need of it too bitterly, nor be tempted by too much. I should like to know that John was firmly established in some good business, which gave him an income large enough to keep free from debt and make Meg comfortable. I’m not ambitious for a splendid fortune, a fashionable position, or a great name for my girls. If rank and money come with love and virtue, also, I should accept them gratefully, and enjoy your good fortune; but I know, by experience, how much genuine happiness can be had in a plain little house, where the daily bread is earned, and some privations give sweetness to the few pleasures. I am content to see Meg begin humbly, for, if I am not mistaken, she will be rich in the possession of a good man’s heart, and that is better than a fortune.”

Chapter 26 “Artistic Attempts”

Mrs. March knew that experience was an excellent teacher, and when it was possible she left her children to learn alone the lessons which she would gladly have made easier, if they had not objected to taking advice as much as they did salts and senna.

Chapter 28 “Domestic Experiences”

“John is a good man, but he has his faults, and you must learn to see and bear with them, remembering your own. He is very decided, but never will be obstinate, if you reason kindly, not oppose impatiently. He is very accurate, and particular about the truth—a good trait, though you call him ‘fussy.’ Never deceive him by look or word, Meg, and he will give you the confidence you deserve, the support you need. He has a temper, not like ours—one flash, and then all over—but the white, still anger, that is seldom stirred, but once kindled, anger against yourself, for peace and happiness depend on keeping his respect. Watch yourself, be the first to ask pardon if you both err, and guard against the little piques, misunderstanding, and hasty words that often pave the way for bitter sorrow and regret.”

Chapter 38 “On the Shelf”

“You have only made the mistake that most young wives make—forgotten your duty to your husband in your love for your children. A very natural and forgivable mistake, Meg, but one that had better be remedied before you take to different ways; for children should draw your nearer than ever, not separate you, as if they were all yours and John had nothing to do but support them. I’ve seen it from some weeks, but have not spoke, feeling sure it would come right in time.”

Chapter 42 “All Alone”

“Why don’t you write? That always used to make you happy,” said her mother, once, when the desponding fit overshadowed Jo.

“I’ve not heart to write, and if I had, nobody cares for my things.”

“We do; write something for us, and never mind the rest of the world. Try it, dear: I’m sure it would do you good, and please us very much.”

“Don’t believe I can,” but Jo got out her des, and began to overhaul her half0finshed manuscripts.

An hour afterwards her mother peeped in, and there she was, scratching away, with her black pinafore on, and an absorbed expression, which caused Mrs. March to smile and slip away, well pleased with the success of her suggestion. Jo never knew how it happened, but something got into that story that went straight to the hearts of those who read it; for, when her family had laughed and cried over it, her father sent it, much against her will, to one of the popular magazines, and, to her utter surprise, it was not only paid for, but other requested.

Chapter 45 “Daisy and Demi”

“My dear, do you think it wise to talk about such things to that baby? He’s getting great bumps over his eyes, and learning to ask the most unanswerable questions.”

“If he is old enough to ask the questions he is old enough to receive true answers. I am not putting the thoughts into his head, but helping him unfold those already there. These children are wiser than we are, and I have no doubt the boy understand every word I have said to him. …”

Chapter 47 “Harvesttime”

“I never ought to, while I have you to cheer me up, Marmee and Laurie to take more than half of every burden,” replied Amy warmly. “He never lets me see his anxiety, but it so sweet and patient with me, so devoted to Beth, and such a stay and comfort to me always, that I can’t love him enough. So in spite of my one cross, I can say with Meg, ‘Thank God, I’m a happy woman.’”

“There’s no need for me to say it, for everyone can see that I’m far happier than I deserve,” added Jo, glancing from her good husband to her chubby children, tumbling on the grass beside her. “Fritz is getting gray and stout; I’m growing as thin as a shadow, and am thirty; we never shall be rich, and Plumfield may burn up any night, for that incorrigible Tommy Banks will smoke sweet-fern cigars under the bedclothes, though he’s set himself afire three times already. But in spite of these unromantic facts, I have nothing to complain of, and never was so jolly in my life. Excuse the remark, but living among boys, I can’t help using their expressions now and then.”

“Yes, Jo, I think your harvest will be a good one,” began Mrs. March, frightening away a big black cricket that was staring Teddy out of countenance.

“Not half so good as yours, mother, Here it is and we never can thank you enough for the patient sowing and reaping you have done,” cried Jo, with the loving impetuosity which she never could outgrow.

“I hope there will be more wheat and fewer tares every year,” said Amy softly.
”A large shelf, but I know there’s room in your heart for it, Marmee dear,” added Meg’s tender voice.

Touched to the heart, Mrs. March could only stretch out her arms, as if to gather children and grandchildren to herself, and say, with face and voice full of motherly love, gratitude and humility:

“Oh, my girls, however long you may live, I never can wish you a greater happiness than this!”

Last updated:
November, 2006

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