“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.”