Louisa May Alcott Quotes

I don't think secrets agree with me, I feel rumpled up in mind since you told me that…

~ Louisa May Alcott

Six weeks is a long time to wait, and a still longer time for a girl to keep a secret…

~ Louisa May Alcott

That was all I wanted! whispered Polly, in a tone which caused him to feel that the race of angels was not entirely extinct.

~ Louisa May Alcott

Boys don't gush, so I can stand it. The last time I let in a party of girls, one fell into my arms and said, Darling, love me! I wanted to shake her,' answered Mrs. Jo, wiping her pen with energy.

~ Louisa May Alcott

…because talent isn't genius, and no amount of energy can make it so. I want to be great, or nothing.

~ Louisa May Alcott

It takes people a long time to learn the difference between talent and genius, especially ambitious young men and women.

~ Louisa May Alcott

On, I don't think I'm a genius!' cried Josie, growing calm and sober as she listened to the melodious voice and looked into the expressive face that filled her with confidence, so strong, sincere and kindly was it. 'I only want to find out if I have talent enough to go on, and after years of study be able to act well in any of the good plays people never tire of seeing. I don't expected to be a Mrs. Siddons or a Miss Cameron, much as I long to be; but it does seem as if I had something in me which can't come out in any way but this. When I act I'm perfectly happy. I seem to live, to be in my own world, and each new part is a new friend. I love Shakespeare, and am never tired of his splendid people. Of course I don't understand it all; but it's like being alone at night with the mountains and the stars, solemn and grand, and I try to imagine how it will look when the sun comes up, and all is glorious and clear to me. I can't see, but I feel the beauty, and long to express it.

~ Louisa May Alcott

…a woman's always safe and comfortable when a fellow's down on his luck.

~ Louisa May Alcott

Prosperity suits some people, and they blossom best in a glow of sunshine; others need the shade, and are the sweeter for a touch of frost.

~ Louisa May Alcott

Mothers can forgive anything! Tell me all, and be sure that I will never let you go, though the whole world should turn from you.

~ Louisa May Alcott

The clocks were striking midnight and the rooms were very still as a figure glided quietly from bed to bed, smoothing a coverlid here, settling a pillow there, and pausing to look long and tenderly at each unconscious face, to kiss each with lips that mutely blessed, and to pray the fervent prayers which only mothers utter.

~ Louisa May Alcott

Dan clung to her in speechless gratitude, feeling the blessedness of mother love, — that divine gift which comforts, purifies, and strengthens all who seek it.

~ Louisa May Alcott

And mother-like, Mrs. Jo forgot the threatened chastisement in tender lamentations over the happy scapegrace…

~ Louisa May Alcott

I'm tired of praise; and love is very sweet, when it is simple and sincere like this.

~ Louisa May Alcott

We don't choose our talents, but we needn't hide them in a napkin because they are not just what we want.

~ Louisa May Alcott