Don’t shut yourself up in a band box because you are a woman, but understand what is going on, and educate yourself to take part in the world’s work, for it all affects you and yours.
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.
A kiss for a blow is always best, though it’s not very easy to give it sometimes.
I will make a battering-ram of my head and make my way through this rough and tumble world.
My book came out; and people began to think that topsy-turvy Louisa would amount to something after all.
But, Polly, a principle that can’t bear being laughed at, frowned on, and cold-shouldered, isn’t worthy of the name.
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.
And the good fairy said, I won’t leave you money or pretty dresses but I will leave you the spirit to seek your fortune from your own efforts.
It’s a great comfort to have an artistic sister.
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.
He was poor, yet always appeared to be giving something away; a stranger, yet everyone was his friend; no longer young, but as happy-hearted as a boy; plain and peculiar, yet his face looked beautiful to many.
I only mean to say that I have a feeling that it never was intended I should live long. I’m not like the rest of you.
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?
Beth ceased to fear him from that moment, and sat there talking to him as cozily as if she had known him all her life, for love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride.
Right Jo better be happy old maids than unhappy wives or unmaidenly girls running about to find husbands.
Fame is a pearl many dive for and only a few bring up. Even when they do, it is not perfect, and they sigh for more, and lose better things in struggling for them.
Don’t cry so bitterly, but remember this day, and resolve with all your soul that you will never know another like it.
O vanity, mislead no more!
I did fail, say what you will, for Jo wouldn’t love me.
Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations.