“I like good strong words that mean something…”

“I'd rather take coffee than compliments just now.”

“Don't try to make me grow up before my time…”

“Some people seemed to get all sunshine, and some all shadow…”

“The emerging woman ... will be strong-minded, strong-hearted, strong-souled, and strong-bodied...strength and beauty must go together.”

“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.”

“I wish I had no heart, it aches so…”

“Jo had learned that hearts, like flowers, cannot be rudely handled, but must open naturally…”

“…because talent isn't genius, and no amount of energy can make it so. I want to be great, or nothing.”

“I am lonely, sometimes, but I dare say it's good for me…”

“life and love are very precious when both are in full bloom.”

“…tomorrow was her birthday, and she was thinking how fast the years went by, how old she was getting, and how little she seemed to have accomplished. Almost twenty-five and nothing to show for it.”

“I like adventures, and I’m going to find some.”

“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.”

“…she'll go and fall in love, and there's an end of peace and fun, and cozy times together.”

“…the violin — that most human of all instruments…”

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

“…marriage, they say, halves one's rights and doubles one's duties.”

“Mothers can forgive anything! Tell me all, and be sure that I will never let you go, though the whole world should turn from you.”

“Love covers a multitude of sins…”

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

“It takes people a long time to learn the difference between talent and genius, especially ambitious young men and women.”

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

“But, like all happiness, it did not last long…”

“Go on with your work as usual, for work is a blessed solace.”

“We don't choose our talents; but we needn't hide them in a napkin because they are not just what we want.”

“Well, I am happy, and I won't fret, but it does seem as if the more one gets the more one wants…”

“…books are always good company if you have the right sort. Let me pick out some for you.' And Mrs. Jo made a bee-line to the well-laden shelves, which were the joy of her heart and the comfort of her life.”

“…books are always good company if you have the right sort. Let me pick out some for you.' And Mrs. Jo made a bee-line to the well-laden shelves, which were the joy of her heart and the comfort of her life.”

“…on some occasions, women, like dreams, go by contraries.”

“I hate ordinary people!”

“Now and then, in this workaday world, things do happen in the delightful storybook fashion, and what a comfort that is.”

“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.”

“such hours are beautiful to live, but very hard to describe…”

“…I can't help seeing that you are very lonely, and sometimes there is a hungry look in your eyes that goes to my heart.”

“Men are always ready to die for us, but not to make our lives worth having. Cheap sentiment and bad logic.”

“Better lose your life than your soul…”

“I'm afraid I couldn't like him without a spice of human naughtiness.”

“…she was one of those happily created beings who please without effort, make friends everywhere, and take life so gracefully and easily that less fortunate souls are tempted to believe that such are born under a lucky star.”

“Jo's ambition was to do something very splendid; what it was she had no idea, as yet, but left it for time to tell her…”

“Dear me! how happy and good we'd be, if we had no worries!”

“I do like men who come out frankly and own that they are not gods.”

“If life is often so hard as this, I don't see how we ever shall get through it…”

“…she rejoiced as only mothers can in the good fortunes of their children.”

“The dirt is picturesque, so I don't mind.”

“…what splendid dreams young people build upon a word, and how bitter is the pain when the bright bubbles burst.”

“I don't think secrets agree with me, I feel rumpled up in mind since you told me that…”

“…proved that woman isn't a half but a whole human being, and can stand alone.”

“…for no matter how lost and soiled and worn-out wandering sons may be, mothers can forgive and forget every thing as they fold them into their fostering arms. Happy the son whose faith in his mother remains unchanged, and who, through all his wanderings, has kept some filial token to repay her brave and tender love.”

“…often between ourselves and those nearest and dearest to us there exists a reserve which it is very hard to overcome.”