Quotes from book
Little Women

Little Women
Louisa May Alcott

Little Women is a novel by American author Louisa May Alcott , which was originally published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869. Alcott wrote the books over several months at the request of her publisher.

Louisa May Alcott photo

“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

Louisa May Alcott photo

“If we are all alive ten years hence, let's meet, and see how many of us have got our wishes, or how much nearer we are then than now.”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Source: Little Women

Louisa May Alcott photo

“I don't pretend to be wise, but I am observing, and I see a great deal more than you'd imagine. I'm interested in other people's experiences and inconsistencies, and, though I can't explain, I remember and use them for my own benefit.”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Source: Little Women

Louisa May Alcott photo

“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

Louisa May Alcott photo

“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)

Louisa May Alcott photo

“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

Louisa May Alcott photo

“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

Louisa May Alcott photo

“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)

Louisa May Alcott photo

“Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Source: Little Women (1868), Ch. 1 : Playing Pilgrims, First lines
Context: "Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.
"It's so dreadful to be poor!" sighed Meg, looking down at her old dress.
"I don't think it's fair for some girls to have plenty of pretty things, and other girls nothing at all," added little Amy, with an injured sniff.
"We've got Father and Mother, and each other," said Beth contentedly from her corner.
The four young faces on which the firelight shone brightened at the cheerful words, but darkened again as Jo said sadly, "We haven't got Father, and shall not have him for a long time." She didn't say "perhaps never," but each silently added it, thinking of Father far away, where the fighting was.

Louisa May Alcott photo

“Housekeeping ain't no joke.”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Source: Little Women (1868), Ch. 11 : Experiments