Little Women is a coming-of-age novel written by American novelist Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888) which was originally published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869. Alcott wrote the book over several months at the request of her publisher. Profoundly inspirational Little Women quotes will encourage you to think a little deeper than you usually would and broaden your perspective.
If you’re searching for inspirational quotes from children’s literature that perfectly capture what you’d like to say or just want to feel inspired yourself, browse through an amazing collection of inspiring Matilda quotes, powerful The Giving Tree quotes and famous Where The Wild Things Are quotes.
Famous Little Women Quotes
Life is too short to be angry at one’s sisters. Jo March
I like good strong words that mean something. Louisa May Alcott
I do think that families are the most beautiful things in all the world! Jo March
I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship. Louisa May Alcott
Go out more, keep cheerful as well as busy, for you the sunshine maker of the family, and if you get dismal there is no fair weather. Mrs. March
I’d rather take coffee than compliments just now. Louisa May Alcott
I never wanted to go away, and the hard part now is leaving you all. I am not afraid, but it seems as if I should be homesick for you even in heaven. Beth March
There are many Beths in the world, shy and quiet, sitting in corners till needed, and living for others so cheerfully that no one sees the sacrifices till the little cricket on the hearth stops chirping, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind. Louisa May Alcott
I could never love anyone as I love my sisters. Jo March
I’ve got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I can unlock the door remains to be seen. Louisa May Alcott
Conceit spoils the finest genius. Marmee
Love Jo all your days, if you choose, but don’t let it spoil you, for it’s wicked to throw away so many good gifts because you can’t have the one you want. Louisa May Alcot
When you feel discontented, think over your blessings, and be grateful. Marmee
Your father, Jo. He never loses patience, never doubts or complains, but always hopes, and works and waits so cheerfully that one is ashamed to do otherwise before him. Louisa May Alcott
You will be bored of him in two years and we will be interesting forever. Jo March
Don’t laugh at the spinsters, dear girls, for often very tender, tragic romances are hidden away in the hearts that beat so quietly under the sober gowns, and many silent sacrifices of youth, health, ambition, love itself, make the faded faces beautiful in God’s sight. Even the sad, sour sisters should be kindly dealt with, because they have missed the sweetest part of life, if for no other reason. Louisa May Alcott
Some people seemed to get all sunshine, and some all shadows. Louisa May Alcott
Love is a great beautifier. Louisa May Alcott
I’d be respected if I couldn’t be loved. Amy March
I want to do something splendid something heroic or wonderful that won’t be forgotten after I’m dead. I don’t know what, but I’m on the watch for it and mean to astonish you all someday. Louisa May Alcott
I believe we have power over who we love. It isn’t something that just happens to a person. Amy March
Watch and pray, dear, never get tired of trying, and never think it is impossible to conquer your fault. Louisa May Alcott
The love, respect, and confidence of my children was the sweetest reward I could receive for my efforts to be the woman I would have them copy. Marmee
Let us be elegant or die! Louisa May Alcott
It is possible to be right and foolish. Aunt March
Don’t try to make me grow up before my time. Louisa May Alcott
It seems I could do anything when I’m passionate. I get so savage, I could hurt anyone and enjoy it. Jo March
My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning, and may be many; but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one. The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength. Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows, as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother. Louisa May Alcott
The humblest tasks get beautified if loving hands do them. Louisa May Alcott
Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success. Louisa May Alcott
For love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride. Louisa May Alcott
Because they are mean is no reason why I should be. I hate such things, and though I think I’ve a right to be hurt, I don’t intend to show it. Louisa May Alcott
You are the gull, Jo, strong and wild, fond of the storm and the wind, flying far out to sea, and happy all alone. Louisa May Alcott
Be worthy love, and love will come. Louisa May Alcott
I want to do something splendid, something heroic or wonderful that won’t be forgotten after I’m dead. I don’t know what, but I’m on the watch for it and mean to astonish you all someday. Jo March
You don’t need scores of suitors. You need only one if he’s the right one. Louisa May Alcott
Just because my dreams are different than yours, it doesn’t mean they are unimportant. Meg March
Some people seemed to get all sunshine, and some all shadow. Louisa May Alcott
Led by her mother’s hand, she had drawn nearer to the friend who always welcomes every child with a love stronger than that of any father, tenderer than that of any mother. Jo March
You are the gull, Jo, strong and wild, fond of the storm and the wind, flying far out to sea, and happy all alone. Louisa May Alcott
Stay is a charming word in a friend’s vocabulary. Louisa May Alcott
Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they’ve got ambition, and they’ve got talent, as well as just beauty. I’m so sick of people saying that love is all a woman is fit for. Louisa May Alcott
A friend’s praise is always sweeter than a dozen newspaper puffs. Louisa May Alcott
Be comforted, dear soul! There is always light behind the clouds. Louisa May Alcott
I don’t believe I shall ever marry; I am happy as I am, and love my liberty too well to be in any hurry to give it up for any mortal man. Jo March
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 Alcott
I’d rather be a free spinster and paddle my own canoe. Jo March
Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort. Louisa May Alcott
I have got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I can unlock the door remains to be seen. Jo March
She preferred imaginary heroes to real ones, because when tired of them, the former could be shut up in the tin kitchen till called for, and the latter were less manageable. Louisa May Alcott
I have been second to Jo my whole life in everything and I will not be the person you settle for just because you cannot have her. I won’t do it, not when I’ve spent my entire life loving you. Amy March
Every few weeks she would shut herself up in her room, put on her scribbling suit, and fall into a vortex, as she expressed it, writing away at her novel with all her heart and soul, for till that was finished she could find no peace. Louisa May Alcott
Be worthy love, and love will come. Louisa May Alcott
I think she is growing up, and so begins to dream dreams, and have hopes and fears and fidgets, without knowing why or being able to explain them. Louisa May Alcott
I’d rather take coffee than compliments just now. Amy March
Jo had learned that hearts, like flowers, cannot be rudely handled, but must open naturally. Louisa May Alcott
Let us be elegant or die! Louisa May Alcott
I’m not like the rest of you; I never made any plans about what I’d do when I grew up; I never thought of being married, as you did. I couldn’t seem to imagine myself anything but stupid little Beth, trotting about at home, of no use anywhere but there. I never wanted to go away, and the hard part now is leaving you all. I’m not afraid, but it seems as if I should be homesick for you even in heaven. Louisa May Alcott
Talent isn’t genius, and no amount of energy can make it so. I want to be great, or nothing. Amy March
Girls are so queer you never know what they mean. They say no when they mean yes, and drive a man out of his wits just for the fun of it. Louisa May Alcott
I like adventures and I am going to find some. Jo March
A quick temper, sharp tongue, and restless spirit were always getting her into scrapes, and her life was a series of ups and downs, which were both comic and pathetic. Louisa May Alcott
I’d have a stable full of Arabian steeds, rooms piled with books, and I’d write out of a magic inkstand, so that my works should be as famous as Laurie’s music. Jo March
Wouldn’t it be fun if all the castles in the air which we make could come true and we could live in them? Louisa May Alcott
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. Jo March
The humblest tasks get beautified if loving hands do them. Louisa May Alcott
I’d rather take coffee than compliments just now. Louisa May Alcott
Gentlemen, be courteous to the old maids, no matter how poor and plain and prim, for the only chivalry worth having is that which is the readiest to to pay deference to the old, protect the feeble, and serve womankind, regardless of rank, age, or color. Louisa May Alcott
I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship. Amy March
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
Watch and pray, dear, never get tired of trying, and never think it is impossible to conquer fault. Marmee
Now and then, in this workaday world, things do happen in the delightful storybook fashion, and what a comfort that is. Louisa May Alcott
I like to help women help themselves, as that is, in my opinion, the best way to settle the woman question. Whatever we can do and do well we have a right to, and I don’t think anyone will deny us. Louisa May Alcott
You have grown abominably lazy, and you like gossip, and waste time on frivolous things, you are contented to be petted and admired by silly people, instead of being loved and respected by wise ones. Louisa May Alcott
Helping one another is part of the religion of our sisterhood. Jo March
I never wanted to go away, and the hard part now is the leaving you all. I’m not afraid, but it seems as if I should be homesick for you even in heaven. Louisa May Alcott
Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they’ve got ambition, and they’ve got talent, as well as just beauty. I’m so sick of people saying that love is all a woman is fit for. Jo March
You are like a chestnut burr, prickly outside, but silky soft within, and a sweet kernel, if one can only get at it. Love will make you show your heart some day, and then the rough burr will fall off. Louisa May Alcott
I am just a woman. And as a woman, I have no way to make the money, not enough to earn a living and support my family. Even if I had my own money, which I don’t, it would belong to my husband the minute we get married. If we had children they would belong to him, not me. They would be his property. So don’t sit there and tell me that marriage isn’t an economic proposition, because it is. Amy March
I don’t like favors; they oppress and make me fell like a slave. I’d rather do everything for myself, and be perfectly independent. Louisa May Alcott
The world is hard on ambitious girls. Amy March
