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Louisa May Alcott Quotes
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Louisa May Alcott was an American novelist and poet best known as the author of the novel Little Women and its sequels Little Men and Jo's Boys . Raised by her transcendentalist parents, Abigail May and Amos Bronson Alcott in New England, she also grew up among many of the well-known intellectuals of the day such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry David Thoreau.

Alcott's family suffered financial difficulties, and while she worked to help support the family from an early age, she also sought an outlet in writing. She began to receive critical success for her writing in the 1860s. Early in her career, she sometimes used the pen name A. M. Barnard, under which she wrote novels for young adults.

Published in 1868, Little Women is set in the Alcott family home, Hillside, later called the Wayside, in Concord, Massachusetts and is loosely based on Alcott's childhood experiences with her three sisters. The novel was very well received and is still a popular children's novel today, filmed several times.

Alcott was an abolitionist and a feminist and remained unmarried throughout her life. She died in Boston on March 6, 1888.

✵ 29. November 1832 – 6. March 1888  •  Other names Լուիզա Մեյ Օլքոթ
Louisa May Alcott photo
Louisa May Alcott: 174 quotes77 likes

Louisa May Alcott Quotes

“Jo's ambition was to do something very splendid; what it was she had no idea, as yet, but left it for time to tell her…”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Source: Little Women

“Don't cry so bitterly, but remember this day, and resolve with all your soul that you will never know another like it.”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Source: Little Women

“If life is often so hard as this, I don't see how we ever shall get through it…”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Source: Little Women

“… and clung more closely to the dear human love, from which our Father never means us to be weaned, but through which He draws us closer to Himself.”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Source: Little Women

“Strong convictions precede great actions.”

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 book Jo's Boys

Source: Jo's Boys

“Well, I am happy, and I won't fret, but it does seem as if the more one gets the more one wants…”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Source: Little Women

“Meg's high-heeled slippers were dreadfully tight, and hurt her, though she would not own it; and Jo's nineteen hair-pins all seemed stuck straight into her head, which was not exactly comfortable; but, dear me, let us be elegant or die.”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Source: Little Women

“We'll all grow up someday, Meg, we might as well know what we want.
~Amy March~”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Source: Little Women

“Mine first --mine last-- mine even in the grave!”

Louisa May Alcott

“The scar will remain, but it is better for a man to lose both arms than his soul; and these hard years, instead of being lost, may be made the most precious of your lives, if they teach you to rule yourselves.”

Louisa May Alcott book Jo's Boys

Source: Jo's Boys

“[She was] kept there in the sort of embrace a man gives to the dearest creature the world holds for him.”

Louisa May Alcott book Eight Cousins

Source: Eight Cousins

“…marriage, they say, halves one's rights and doubles one's duties.”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Source: Little Women

“Our actions are in our own hands, but the consequences of them are not. Remember that, my dear, and think twice before you do anything.”

Louisa May Alcott book Jack and Jill: A Village Story

Source: Jack and Jill

“Dear me! If only men and women would trust, understand and help as my children do, what a capital place `the world would be!”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Source: Little Women

“My only answer is, if my grave stood open on one side and you upon the other I'd go into my grave before I would take one step to meet you.”

Louisa May Alcott A Long Fatal Love Chase

Source: A Long Fatal Love Chase

“But, Polly, a principle that can't bear being laughed at, frowned on, and cold-shouldered, isn't worthy of the name.”

Louisa May Alcott book An Old-Fashioned Girl

Source: An Old-Fashioned Girl

“John Brooke is acting dreadfully, and Meg likes it!”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Source: Little Women

“We can't any of us do all we would like, but we can do our best for every case that comes to us, and that helps amazingly.”

Louisa May Alcott book An Old-Fashioned Girl

Source: An Old-Fashioned Girl

“Where's the use of looking nice, when no one sees me but those cross midgets, and no one cares whether I'm pretty or not?”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Source: Little Women

“Go out more, keep cheerful as well as busy, for you are the sunshine-maker of the family, and if you get dismal there is no fair weather.”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Source: Little Women

“For an hour Rosamond paced up and down the deck reveling in the breezy motion of the boat, the delicious sense of freedom which possessed her, the atmosphere of romance which surrounded her. Tempest lounged beside her, watching her beautiful face, listening to her happy voice, and enjoying her innocent companionship with the relish of a man eager for novelty and skillful in the art of playing on that delicate instrument, a woman's heart.”

Louisa May Alcott A Long Fatal Love Chase

A Long Fatal Love Chase (1866)

“The sin is yours, but the shame and sorrow are mine, the past I cannot retrieve, the future is still unspoiled and I will not embitter it by any willful sin. Before I was innocently guilty, now I should be doubly guilty if I went back to the 'gay free life I love.' Atone for the wrong you have done me by ceasing to tempt and trouble me. I will not yield, though you hunt me to death.”

Louisa May Alcott A Long Fatal Love Chase

A Long Fatal Love Chase (1866)

“I believe that it is as much a right and duty for women to do something with their lives as for men and we are not going to be satisfied with such frivolous parts as you give us.”

Louisa May Alcott book Rose in Bloom

Rose in Bloom (1876), Ch. 1 : Coming Home

“Even at the cost of what is called honor and honesty? That is comfortable philosophy, and having preached and practiced it all my days I've no right to condemn it. But the saints would call it sinful and dangerous and tell you that life should be one long penance full of sorrow, sacrifice and psalm-singing.”

Louisa May Alcott A Long Fatal Love Chase

A Long Fatal Love Chase (1866)

“Not another day or hour would she remain, no help was possible, no atonement could retrieve the past, no love or pity, pardon or excuse should soften the sharp pang of reparation for the guilty man. To go instantly and forever was her only thought, and this gave her strength to rise and look about her.”

Louisa May Alcott A Long Fatal Love Chase

A Long Fatal Love Chase (1866)

“The invigorating air did them both good, and much exercise worked wholesome changes in minds as well as bodies. They seemed to get clearer views of life and duty up there among the everlasting hills. The fresh winds blew away desponding doubts, delusive fancies, and moody mists. The warm spring sunshine brought out all sorts of aspiring ideas, tender hopes, and happy thoughts. The lake seemed to wash away the troubles of the past, and the grand old mountains to look benignly down upon them saying, "Little children, love one another."”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Source: Little Women (1868), Ch. 41 : Learning To Forget

“If I can do no more, let my name stand among those who are willing to bear ridicule and reproach for the truth's sake, and so earn some right to rejoice when the victory is won.”

Louisa May Alcott

From a letter ("Louisa M. Alcott to the American Woman Suffrage Association", October 1885) in support of women's voting rights, quoted in Elizabeth Cady Stanton et al., History of Woman Suffrage, 1883-1900 (1902), p. 412.

“I tell you I cannot bear it! I shall do something desperate if this life is not changed soon. It gets worse and worse, and I often feel as if I'd gladly sell my soul to Satan for a year of freedom.”

Louisa May Alcott A Long Fatal Love Chase

A Long Fatal Love Chase (1866)

“Back to him she would never go, but in her lonely life still lived the sweet memory of that happy time when she believed in him and he was all in all to her.”

Louisa May Alcott A Long Fatal Love Chase

A Long Fatal Love Chase (1866)

“Because in spite of this longing, I know that I shall purchase happiness at high price if I return; that new falsehood may betray me, new tyranny oppress me, and above all I feel that with this man I must lose more and more the love of all good things, so strong is his influence, so unprincipled his nature. My only hope is that I may save his soul and yet not lose my own. Can I, dare I do this?”

Louisa May Alcott A Long Fatal Love Chase

A Long Fatal Love Chase (1866)

“If people really want to go, and really try all their lives, I think they will get in; for I don’t believe there are any locks on that door, or any guards at the gate. I always imagine it is as it is in the picture, where the shining ones stretch out their hands to welcome poor Christian as he comes up from the river.”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Beth's views on the Celestial City, in Ch. 13 : Castles In The Air
Little Women (1868)

“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 book Little Women

Source: Little Women (1868), Ch. 34 : Friend

“It was not a fashionable place, but even among the pleasant people there, the girls made few friends, preferring to live for one another.”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Source: Little Women (1868), Ch. 36 : Beth's Secret

“Stay is a charming word in a friend's vocabulary.”

Louisa May Alcott

Amos Bronson Alcott, her father, in Concord Days (1872), p. 124 : "Stay is a charming word in a friend's vocabulary. But if one does not stay while staying, better let him go where he is gone the while."
Misattributed

“I was thinking what a curious thing love is; only a sentiment, and yet it has power to make fools of men and slaves of women.”

Louisa May Alcott A Long Fatal Love Chase

A Long Fatal Love Chase (1866)

“I must know where you are, but I will not molest nor betray you till the time arrives. Go where you like, assume what disguise you choose, do what you please, except die or marry. I'll stand off and watch the play, but I must follow. I like the chase, it is exciting, novel and absorbing. I have tried and tried of other amusements, this satisfies me and I am in no haste to end it.”

Louisa May Alcott A Long Fatal Love Chase

A Long Fatal Love Chase (1866)

“The child has talent, loves music, and needs help. I can't give her money, but I can teach her; so I do, and she is the most promising pupil I have. Help one another, is part of the religion of our sisterhood, Fan.”

Louisa May Alcott book An Old-Fashioned Girl

An Old-Fashioned Girl (1870), Ch. 13 : The Sunny Side; this has often been quoted as "Helping one another, is part of the religion of our sisterhood."

“In vain she told herself that he was unworthy any woman's trust and love, still the unconquerable sentiment that once made her happiness now remained to become her torment.”

Louisa May Alcott A Long Fatal Love Chase

A Long Fatal Love Chase (1866)

“Women have been called queens for a long time, but the kingdom given them isn't worth ruling.”

Louisa May Alcott book An Old-Fashioned Girl

An Old-Fashioned Girl (1870), Ch. 13 : The Sunny Side

“Suppose I broke away and left you, or made it impossible for you to stay. That I was base and false; in every way unworthy of your love, and it was clearly right for you to go, what would you do then?"
"Go away and–"
He interrupted with a triumphant laugh, "Die as heroines always do, tender slaves as they are.”

Louisa May Alcott A Long Fatal Love Chase

"No, live and forget you", was the unexpected reply.
Phillip and Rosamund, p. 46.
A Long Fatal Love Chase (1866)

“Suppose I broke away and left you, or made it impossible for you to stay. That I was base and false; in every way unworthy of your love, and it was clearly right for you to go, what would you do then?”

Louisa May Alcott A Long Fatal Love Chase

A Long Fatal Love Chase (1866)

“'In the fitful light of the dusky hall the newcomer's face suddenly appeared fiery-eyed and menacing, and, glancing at a portrait of Mephistopheles, Rosamond exclaimed, "Why, you are the very image of Meph--"”

Louisa May Alcott A Long Fatal Love Chase

A Long Fatal Love Chase (1866)

“I love my gallant captain with all my heart and soul and might, and never will desert him, while God lets us be together. Oh, Mother, I never knew how much like heaven this world could be, when two people love and live for one another!”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Amy, in Ch. 42 : All Alone
Little Women (1868)

“No, I never wish that. I don't intend to die till I've enjoyed my life. Everyone has a right to happiness and sooner or later I will have it. Youth, health and freedom were meant to be enjoyed and I want to try every pleasure before I am too old to enjoy them.”

Louisa May Alcott A Long Fatal Love Chase

A Long Fatal Love Chase (1866)