Quotes by Louisa May Alcott

About Louisa May Alcott:

Louisa May Alcott was an American novelist and poet best known as the author of the novel Little Women (1868) and its sequels Little Men (1871) and Jo's Boys (1886). Raised by her transcendentalist parents, Abigail May and Amos Bronson Alcott in New England, she grew up among many of the well-known intellectuals of the day such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry David Thoreau.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

What shall you do all your vacation?’, asked Amy. "I shall lie abed and do nothing", replied Meg.

Louisa May Alcott

…in silence learned the sweet solace which affection administers to sorrow.

Louisa May Alcott

You are like a chestnut burr, prickly outside, but silky-soft within, and a sweet kernel, if one can only get at it. Love will make you show your heart some day, and then the rough burr will fall off.

Louisa May Alcott

I was never like the rest of you, making plans about the great things I'd do, I never saw myself as anything much, just shy, stupid little Beth, who's only use was at home. Why does everyone want to go away? I love being home, but I don't like being ...

Louisa May Alcott

Then it was that Jo, living in the darkened room, with that suffering little sister always before her eyes and that pathetic voice sounding in her ears, learned to see the beauty and the sweetness of Beth's nature, to feel how deep and tender a place...

Louisa May Alcott

Conceit spoils the finest genius.

Louisa May Alcott

Gentlemen, be courteous to the old maids, no matter how poor and plain and prim, for the only chivalry worth having is that which is the readiest to to pay deference to the old, protect the feeble, and serve womankind, regardless of rank, age, or col...

Louisa May Alcott

…on some occasions, women, like dreams, go by contraries.

Louisa May Alcott

It’s genius simmering, perhaps. I’ll let it simmer, and see what comes of it,” he said, with a secret suspicion all the while that it wasn’t genius, but something far more common. Whatever it was, it simmered to some purpose, for he grew more...

Louisa May Alcott

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 beauti...

Louisa May Alcott

I like good strong words that mean something…

Louisa May Alcott

Go on with your work as usual, for work is a blessed solace.

Louisa May Alcott

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.

Louisa May Alcott

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

Louisa May Alcott

Keep good company, read good books, love good things and cultivate soul and body as faithfully as you can

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.

Louisa May Alcott

It takes two flints to make a fire.

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.

Louisa May Alcott

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.

Louisa May Alcott

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

Louisa May Alcott

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

Louisa May Alcott

Author Bio

  • NameLouisa May Alcott
  • DescriptionAmerican novelist
  • AliasesA. M. Barnard
  • BornNovember 29, 1832
  • DiedMarch 6, 1888
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionWriter; Nurse; Poet; Novelist
  • WorksLittle Women; An Old-Fashioned Girl
  • AwardsNational Women's Hall Of Fame