40+ Comforting Little Women Quotes For When The World Is Too Much

Little Women is one of those books you can turn to when the world just isn’t working out exactly right. You know that these four girls, with their troubles big and small, would understand. Money problems? They have them. Trouble with friends? Pickled lime debts aren’t easy to repay. Frustrated at home? How about your sister threw your manuscript into the fire? The world feels like it’s on fire and nothing will ever be okay again? Never fear, the sisters learn how to cope and stay hopeful during one of the bloodiest wars in American history. Collecting these Little Women quotes was like going out for coffee with old friends and reminiscing about childhood memories. I hope they bring you as much comfort as they brought me.

Little Women Quotes From The Narrator

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

So she enjoyed herself heartily, and found, what isn’t always the case, that her granted wish was all she had hoped.

…hearts, like flowers, cannot be rudely handled, but must open naturally.

The humblest tasks get beautified if loving hands do them.

Be worthy, love, and love will come.

The girls gave their hearts into their mother’s keeping, their souls into their father’s; and to both parents, who lived and labored so faithfully for them, they gave a love that grew with their growth, and bound them tenderly together by the sweetest tie which blesses life and outlives death.

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Let us be elegant or die!

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Love is a great beautifier.

Love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride.

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She preferred imaginary heroes to real ones, because when tired of them, the former could be shut up in the tin kitchen till called for, and the latter were less manageable.

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

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Meg March Quotes

I don’t want a fashionable wedding, but only those about me whom I love, and to them I wish to look and be my familiar self.

Tomorrow I shall put away my “fuss and feathers” and be desperately good again.

Amy March Quotes

I’d rather take coffee than compliments just now.

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You laugh at me when I say I want to be a lady, but I mean a true gentlewoman in mind and manners, and I try to do it as far as I know how. I can’t explain exactly, but I want to be above the little meannesses and follies and faults that spoil so many women.

You don’t need scores of suitors. You only need one, if he’s the right one.

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

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

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Ambitious girls have a hard time, Laurie, and often have to see youth, health, and precious opportunities go by, just for want of a little help at the right minute. People have been very kind to me, and whenever I see girls struggling along, as we used to do, I want to put out my hand and help them, as I was helped.

Beth March Quotes

You are the gull, Jo, strong and wild, fond of the storm and the wind, flying far out to sea, and happy all alone. Meg is the turtle-dove, and Amy is like the lark she write about, trying to get up among the clouds, but always dropping down into its nest again. Dear little girl! She’s so ambitious, but her heart is good and tender, and no matter how high she flies, she never will forget home. I hope I shall see her again…

Marmee Quotes

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

Don’t you feel that it is pleasanter to help one another, to have daily duties which make leisure sweet when it comes, and to bear and forbear, that home may be comfortable and lovely to us all?

Time erodes such beauty, but what it cannot diminish is the wonderful workings of your mind: your humor, your kindness, and your moral courage.

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

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

That is the secret of our home happiness. He does not let business wean him from the little cares and duties that affect us all, and I try not to let domestic worries destroy my interest in his pursuits. Each do our part alone in many things, but at home we work together, always.

We are never too old for this, my dear, because it is a play we are playing all the time in one way or another. Our burdens are here, our road is before us, and the longing for goodness and happiness is the guide that leads us through many troubles and mistakes to the peace which is a true Celestial City. Now, my little pilgrims, suppose you begin again, not in play, but in earnest, and see how far you can get before Father comes home.

My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning and may be many, but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one. The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength. Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows, as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother.

Don’t neglect husband for children, don’t shut him out of the nursery, but teach him how to help in it. His place is there as well as yours, and the children need him. Let him feel that he has a part to do, and he will do it gladly and faithfully, and it will be better for you all.

We can’t give up our girls for a dozen fortunes. Rich or poor, we will keep together and be happy in one another.

…money couldn’t keep shame and sorrow out of rich people’s houses…

My dear girls, I am ambitious for you, but not to have you make a dash in the world, marry rich men merely because they are rich, or have splendid houses, which are not homes because love is wanting.

There is truth in it, Jo, that’s the secret. Humor and pathos make it alive, and you have found your style at last. You wrote with no thoughts of fame and money, and put your heart into it, my daughter. You have had the bitter, now comes the sweet. Do your best, and grow as happy as we are in your success.

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.

Conceit spoils the finest genius.

Mr. March Quotes

Aim at the highest, and never mind the money.

Laurie (Theodore Lawrence) Quotes

I saw a good many talented young fellows making all sorts of sacrifices, and enduring real hardships, that they might realize their dreams. Splendid fellows, some of them, working like heroes, poor and friendless, but so full of courage, patience, and ambition that I was ashamed of myself, and longed to give them a right good lift. Those are people whom it’s a satisfaction to help, for if they’ve got genius, it’s an honor to be allowed to serve them, and not let it be lost or delayed for want of fuel to keep the pot boiling. If they haven’t, it’s a pleasure to comfort the poor souls, and keep them from despair when they find it out.

I keep turning over new leaves, and spoiling them, as I used to spoil my copybooks; and I make so many beginnings there never will be an end.

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Jo March Quotes

I almost wish I hadn’t any conscience, it’s so inconvenient. If I didn’t care about doing right, and didn’t feel uncomfortable when doing wrong, I should get on capitally. 

I’ve got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I can unlock the door remains to be seen.

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“I’m happy as I am, and love my liberty too well to be in a hurry to give it up for any mortal man.”

 I like good strong words that mean something.

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

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I do think that families are the most beautiful things in all the world!

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I don’t like to doze by the fire. I like adventures, and I’m going to find some.

And One Bonus Little Women (1994) Movie Quote:

I could never love anyone as I love my sisters.

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Want to read more about Little Women? Check out these articles from Book Riot:

The Enneagram Types of the March Sisters

Watch the First Trailer for Greta Gerwig’s Little Women Movie

Beth Doesn’t Always Die in Little Women…Sort Of.

Shop the Little Women Collection at the Book Riot Store