He was not a perfect child, by any means, but his faults were of the better sort; and being early taught the secret of self-control, he was not left … - Louisa May Alcott

One of the sweet things about pain and sorrow is that they show us how well we are loved, how much kindness there is in the world, and how easily we can make others happy in the same way when they need help and sympathy.

But, you see, Jo wasn’t a heroine, she was only a struggling human girl like hundreds of others, and she just acted out her nature, being sad, cross, listless, or energetic, as the mood suggested. It’s highly virtuous to say we’ll be good, but we can’t do it all at once, and it takes a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all together before some of us even get our feet set in the right way.

Better be happy old maids than unhappy wives, or unmaidenly girls, running about to find husbands. ~ Mr.s March