This Sunday we finished up reading the fourth and final book in the Little Women series, Jo’s Boys by Louisa May Alcott. It was sad to have the story end, as we have grown with the characters in each book we have read. I love Louisa May Alcott’s writing and she inspires me to want to write more. I love to write all sorts of things from recipes, to journal entries and blog posts, to stories for the kids, and poetry. I am, however, shy in sharing much of what I write, but think that perhaps someday, when and if I ever grow in confidence, I will be more bold in sharing.

Here are the quotes I highlighted for myself and the girls from this classic:

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“I’ve been trying to govern my own temper all my life, and haven’t learned yet,” said Mrs. Jo, with a sigh. “For heaven’s sake, guard your demon well, and don’t let a moment’s fury ruin all your life. As I said to Nat, watch and pray, my dear boy. There is no other help or hope for human weakness but God’s love and patience.”

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“Now, Dan, see here; never sneer at good things or pretend to be worse than you are. Don’t let false shame make you reject the religion without which no man can live. You needn’t talk about it if you don’t like, but don’t shut your heart to it in whatever shape it comes. Nature is your God now; she has done much for you; let her do more, and lead you to know and love a wiser and more tender teacher, friend, and comforter than she can ever be. That is your only hope; don’t throw it away, and waste time; for sooner or later you will feel the need of Him, and He will come to you and hold you up when all other help fails.”

Dan stood motionless, and let her read in his softened eyes the dumb desire that lived in his heart, though he had no words to tell it, and only permitted her to itch a glimpse of the divine spark which smoulders or burns clearly in every human soul.

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“Oh, Teddy, Teddy, do try to cure that willful spirit of yours before it is too late!”

“Oh, Mum, I do try! I never can forget this–I hope it’s cured for me; if it hasn’t, I am afraid I ain’t worth saving,” answered Ted, pulling his own hair as the only way of expressing his deep remorse.

“Yes, you are, my dear; I felt just so at fifteen when Amy was nearly drowned, and Marmee helped me as I’ll help you. Come to me, Teddy, when the evil one gets hold of you, and together we’ll route him. Ah, me! I’ve had many a tussle with that old Apollyon, and often got worsted, but not always. Come under my shield, and we’ll fight till we win.”

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“At ten she solemnly arrayed herself, and then sat looking at her neat gloves and buckled shoes till it was time to go, growing pale and sober with the thought that her fate was soon to be decided; for, like all young people she was sure that her whole life could be settled by one human creature, quite forgetting how wonderfully Providence trains us by disappointment, surprises us with unexpected success, and turns our seeming trials into blessings.”

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“I begin to think grandpa is right in saying that we must each be what God and nature makes us. We can’t change it much–only help to develop the good and control the bad elements in us.”

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“Ah, me! The tastes of the mother come out in her children, and she must atone for them by letting them have their own way, I suppose.”

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“So it is; but all the more honor to those who are brave and wise enough to resist public opinion, and the easy-going morals of bad or careless men or women. Think of the persons whom you respect most, and in imitating them you will secure the respect of those who look up to you. I’d rather my boys should be laughed at and cold-shouldered by a hundred foolish fellows than lose what, once gone, no power can give them back–innocence and self-respect. I don’t wonder you fit in ‘hard to tow the mark,’ when books, pictures, ballrooms, theaters, and streets offer temptations; yet you can resist, if you try.”

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In these household retreats, with books and work, and their daughters by them, they read and sewed and talked in the sweet privacy that domestic women love, and can make so helpful by a wise mixture of cooks and chemistry, table linen and theology, prosaic duties and good poetry.

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“I’ll try to answer. But as I have no girls, my opinion isn’t worth much and will probably shock her, as I shall tell her to let them run and play and build up good, stout bodies before she talks about careers. They will soon show what they want, if they are let alone, and not all run in the same mould.”

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Wishing you all a lovely week ahead! 🙂