897 Quotes by Louisa May Alcott

I shall have to toil and moil all my days, with only little bits of fun now and then, and get old and ugly and sour, because I'm poor, and can't enjoy my life as other girls do. It's a shame!

It's so dreadful to be poor!

[F]or in this queer world of ours, fatherly and motherly hearts often beat warm and wise in the breasts of bachelor uncles and maiden aunts; and it is my private opinion that these worthy creatures are a beautiful provision of nature for the cherishing of other people's children. They certainly get great comfort out of it, and receive much innocent affection that otherwise would be lost.

I never made any plans about what I'd do when I grew up. I never thought of being married, as you all did. I couldn't seem to imagine myself anything but stupid little Beth, trotting about at home, of no use anywhere but there. I never wanted to go away, and the hard part now is the leaving you all. I'm not afraid, but it seems as if I should be homesick for you even in heaven.

Now and then, in this workaday world, things do happen in the delightful storybook fashion, and what a comfort that is.

I hate ordinary people!

such hours are beautiful to live, but very hard to describe…

…I can't help seeing that you are very lonely, and sometimes there is a hungry look in your eyes that goes to my heart.

…Jo loved a few persons very dearly and dreaded to have their affection lost or lessened in any way.