The 45 Ultimate Little Women Quotes About Family, Friendship, And Feminism

Luca Demetriou
Dec 12, 2023 By Luca Demetriou
Originally Published on Feb 14, 2021
A stamp printed in United States of America shows Little women tells the story of four sisters growing up in New England in the 1800's
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Age: 0-99
Read time: 8.4 Min

Book lovers, coming-of-age fans and literary fanatics, listen up!

'Little Women', written by Louisa May Alcott is a fantastic and classic coming-of-age novel.

If you are a book-lover, you must have faced the challenge of finding a good book. “Watch and pray, dear, never get tired of trying, and never think it is impossible to conquer your fault” is a Louisa May Alcott quote that says that good friends are just as rare to find as good books.

'Little Women' is that classic novel that you can turn to when everything else is not working out. Most of us can relate to these four girls having small and big troubles.

Sibling rivalries, money problems, women empowerment, friendship.

Jo’s constant struggle to become a successful writer, Amy’s struggle to become a good artist, Meg’s gentle and loving nature, and Beth’s love for music. All of them collectively show how this book was way ahead of its time.

If you love this classic, here are some of our favorite quotes from this book.

Such as this "There are many Beth’s 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."

You'll find the best 'Little Women' quotes below and quotes about how Jo will never get married, plus more of the trials and tribulations of the characters.

If you like this article, you may also like Louisa May Alcott quotes and 'Anne of Green Gables' quotes.
 

Best Quotes From 'Little Women'

There is a quote written on the back cover of the 'Little Women' book, “From dances to despairs, through weddings and funerals, March girls stand as sisters.” There are many such famous quotes from 'Little Women' that readers thoroughly enjoy.

Here are some of the best 'Little Women' power quotes as well as some of the best 'Little Women' Jo quotes to help you conquer everyone of your fault.

Library with shelves full of books

1. “Life is too short to be angry at one’s sisters.”

- Jo March, 'Little Women'.

2. “I do think that families are the most beautiful things in all the world!”

- Jo March, 'Little Women'.

3. “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, 'Little Women'.

4. “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, 'Little Women'.

5. “I could never love anyone as I love my sisters.”

- Jo March, 'Little Women'.

6. “I’ll try and be what he loves to call me, ‘a little woman’, and not be rough and wild; but do my duty here instead of wanting to be somewhere else.”

- Jo March, 'Little Women'.

7. “Conceit spoils the finest genius.”

- Marmee, 'Little Women'.

8. “When you feel discontented, think over your blessings, and be grateful.”

- Marmee, 'Little Women'.

9. “You will be bored of him in two years and we will be interesting forever.”

- Jo March, 'Little Women'.

Inspiring Quotes For Little Girls

'Little Women' has some of the most famous quotes about sisters that readers thoroughly enjoy. In addition to the 'Little Women' movie quotes, the 'Little Women' book quotes have captivated the attention of one and all. Here are some of the best short feminist quotes along with sweet quotes from 'Little Women'.

10. “Some people seemed to get all sunshine, and some all shadows.”

- Louisa May Alcott, 'Little Women'.  

11. “I’d be respected if I couldn’t be loved.”

- Amy March, 'Little Women'.

12. “I believe we have power over who we love. It isn’t something that just happens to a person.”

- Amy March, 'Little Women'.

13. “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, 'Little Women'.

14. “It is possible to be right and foolish.”

- Aunt March, 'Little Women'.

15. “It seems I could do anything when I’m passionate. I get so savage, I could hurt anyone and enjoy it.”

- Jo March, 'Little Women'.

16. “The humblest tasks get beautified if loving hands do them.”

- Louisa May Alcott, 'Little Women'.

17. “...for love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride.”

- Louisa May Alcott, 'Little Women'.

18. “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, 'Little Women'.

19. “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, 'Little Women'.

20. “Just because my dreams are different than yours, it doesn’t mean they are unimportant.”

- Meg March, 'Little Women'.

21. “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, 'Little Women'.

22. “Stay is a charming word in a friend’s vocabulary.”

- Louisa May Alcott, 'Little Women'.

23. “A friend’s praise is always sweeter than a dozen newspaper puffs.”

- Louisa May Alcott, 'Little Women'.

24. “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, 'Little Women'.

25. “I’d rather be a free spinster and paddle my own canoe.”

- Jo March, 'Little Women'.

26. “I have got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I can unlock the door remains to be seen.”

- Jo March, 'Little Women'.

27. “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, 'Little Women'.

28. “Be worthy love, and love will come.”

- Louisa May Alcott, 'Little Women'.

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

- Amy March, 'Little Women'.

'Little Women' Quotes About Feminism

“I can’t get over my disappointment in being a girl,” this is the quote that most readers can relate to from Greta Gerwig’s portrayal of 'Little Women'.

No one can measure up to the hardships a woman faces in her entire lifetime to make a place for herself in the world full of fear and gratitude, leaving silence and shadows behind.

Here are some famous 'Little Women' quotes that will motivate to conquer your fault and shortcomings like good strong words and quotes from 'Little Women' about always remembering what we have been taught.

 

30. “Let us be elegant or die!”

- Louisa May Alcott, 'Little Women'.

31. “I intend to make my own in the world.”

- Jo March, 'Little Women'.

32. “Talent isn’t genius, and no amount of energy can make it so. I want to be great, or nothing.”

- Amy March, 'Little Women'.

33. “I like adventures and I am going to find some.”

- Jo March, 'Little Women'.

34. “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, 'Little Women'.

35. “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, 'Little Women'.

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

- Louisa May Alcott, 'Little Women'.

37. “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”

- Amy March, 'Little Women'.

38. “Watch and pray, dear, never get tired of trying, and never think it is impossible to conquer fault.”

- Marmee, 'Little Women'.

39. “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, 'Little Women'.

40. “Helping one another is part of the religion of our sisterhood.”

- Jo March, 'Little Women'.

41. “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, 'Little Women'.

42. “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, 'Little Women'.

43. “The world is hard on ambitious girls.”

- Amy March, 'Little Women'.

44. “I like good strong words that mean something.”

- Jo March, 'Little Women'.

45. “Don’t try to make me grow up before my time.”

- Jo March, 'Little Women'.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Little Women quotes, then why not take a look at 'Alice in Wonderland' quotes, or women Supporting women quotes.

Main image credit: IgorGolovniov / Shutterstock.com

 

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Written by Luca Demetriou

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English and Drama, Master of Arts specializing in Performance: Design and Practice

Luca Demetriou picture

Luca DemetriouBachelor of Arts specializing in English and Drama, Master of Arts specializing in Performance: Design and Practice

Experienced in writing and sub-editing, Luca holds a Bachelor's in English Literature and Drama from the University of Birmingham, where he served as the culture editor at Redbrick Paper. He is currently pursuing a Master's in Performance: Design and Practice at the University of the Arts in London, showcasing his passion for the arts, performance, and history. With a keen interest in traveling, Luca enjoys exploring new cultures and experiencing diverse perspectives.

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