"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."

"Right Jo better be happy old maids than unhappy wives or unmaidenly girls running about to find husbands."

"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."

"But, like all happiness, it did not last long."

"Be comforted, dear soul! There is always light behind the clouds."

"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 be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success."

"I am lonely, sometimes, but I dare say it's good for me."

"How little it takes to make a young girl happy! A pretty dress, sunshine, and somebody opposite, and they are blest."

"She had a womanly instinct that clothes possess an influence more powerful over many than the worth of character or the magic of manners."

"Amy's lecture did Laurie good, though, of course, he did not own it till long afterward. Men seldom do, for when women are the advisers, the lords of creation don't take the advice till they have persuaded themselves that it is just what they intended to do. Then they act upon it, and, if it succeeds, they give the weaker vessel half the credit of it. If it fails, they generously give her the whole."

"Marmee: Oh, Jo. Jo, you have so many extraordinary gifts; how can you expect to lead an ordinary life? You're ready to go out and " and find a good use for your talent. Tho' I don't know what I shall do without my Jo. Go, and embrace your liberty. And see what wonderful things come of it."

"Because talent isn't genius, and no amount of energy can make it so. I want to be great, or nothing."