“…the day had been both unprofitable and unsatisfactory, and he was wishing he could live it over again.”

“Oh, that is the surprise. It's so lovely, I pity you because you don't know it…”

“…having learned that people cannot be moulded like clay…”

“Young people seldom turn out as one predicts, so it is of little use to expect anything,' said Mrs. Meg with a sigh. 'If our children are good and useful men and women, we should be satisfied; yet it's very natural to wish them to be brilliant and successful.”

“…feeling as if all the happiness and support of their lives was about to be taken from them.”

“The youngest, aged twelve, could not conceal her disappointment, and turned away, feeling as so many of us have felt when we discover that our idols are very extraordinary men and women.”

“By the time the lecture ended and the audience awoke, she had built up a splendid fortune for herself (not the first founded on paper)…”

“…but I never shall be very wise, I'm afraid.”

“It's very singular how hard it is to manage your mind,' said Demi, clasping his hands round his knees, and looking up at the sky as if for information upon his favorite topic.”

“…a woman's always safe and comfortable when a fellow's down on his luck.”

“I don't see why God made any night; day is so much pleasanter…”

“…and Aunt Jo retired, satisfied with the success of her last trap to catch a sunbeam.”

“Six weeks is a long time to wait, and a still longer time for a girl to keep a secret…”

“I don't believe fine young ladies enjoy themselves a bit more than we do, in spite of our burned hair, old gowns, one glove apiece, and tight slippers that sprain our ankles when we are silly enough to wear them.”

“Let the world know you are alive!”

“…the little girls wore a grave, troubled expression, as if sorrow was a new experience to them.”

“…possessed of that indescribable charm called grace.”

“I don't believe I shall ever marry; I'm happy as I am, and love my liberty too well to be in any hurry to give it up for any mortal man.”

“I keep turning over new leaves, and spoiling them, as I used to spoil my copy-books; and I make so many beginnings there never will be an end," he said, dolefully.”

“You men tell us we are angels, and say we can make you what we will; but the instant we honestly try to do you good, you laugh at us, and won't listen. which proves how much your flattery is worth.”

“It is apt to be so, and it is hard to bear; for, though we do not want trumpets blown, we do like to have out little virtues appreciated, and cannot help feeling disappointed if they are not.”

“Her father called her ‘Little Tranquillity’, and the name suited her excellently; for she seemed to live in a happy world of her own, only venturing out to meet the few whom she trusted and loved.”

“... to the great delight of two ducks, four cats, five hens and half a dozen Irish children; for they were out of the city for now.”

“Life is a fight, and I like a good soldier.”