Louisa May Alcott Quotes

American novelist (1832–1888)

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Louisa May Alcott (29 November 1832 – 6 March 1888) was an American novelist best remembered for her novel Little Women (1868).

From: Wikiquote (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Pen Names: A. M. Barnard • Flora Fairfield • Flora Fairchild • Tribulation Periwinkle

Alternative Names: Louisa Alcott • Louisa M. Alcott • Louisa Mary Alcott • L.M.A.

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I find it poor logic to say that because women are good, women should vote. Men do not vote because they are good; they vote because they are male, and women should vote, not because we are angels and men are animals, but because we are human beings and citizens of this country.

I do think that families are the most beautiful things in all the world!

Love covers a multitude of sins…

"November is the most disagreeable month in the whole year," said Margaret, standing at the window one dull afternoon, looking out at the frostbitten garden.

"That's the reason I was born in it," observed Jo pensively, quite unconscious of the blot on her nose.

Young men often laugh at the sensible girls whom they secretly respect, and affect to admire the silly ones whom they secretly despise, because earnestness, intelligence, and womanly dignity are not the fashion.

Some stories are so familiar its like going home.

It takes so little to make a child happy, that it is a pity in a world full of sunshine and pleasant things, that there should be any wistful faces, empty hands, or lonely little hearts.

I'm happy as I am, and love my liberty too well to be in a hurry to give it up for any mortal man.

When we make little sacrifices we like to have them appreciated, at least…

…the violin — that most human of all instruments…

I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship.

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

…we're twins, and so we love each other more than other people…

If you dear little girls would only learn what real beauty is, and not pinch and starve and bleach yourselves out so, you'd save an immense deal of time and money and pain. A happy soul in a healthy body makes the best sort of beauty for man or woman.

"Rome took all the vanity out of me, for after seeing the wonders there, I felt too insignificant to live, and gave up all my foolish hopes in despair."
"Why should you, with so much energy and talent?"
"That's just why, because talent isn't genius, and no amount of energy can make it so. I want to be great, or nothing. I won't be a common-place dauber, so I don't intend to try anymore."