Little Women Quotes From The Emotional Movie and Novel

These Little Women quotes about love, money, and life will inspire you, or at least have you wanting to watch the movie or read the book!

Before Little Women was a hit movie in 2019, it was a novel by American writer Louisa May Alcott. This coming-of-age novel was originally published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869. However, its story is timeless and poignant—filled with moments that make you laugh, sob, and feel immense joy. It is kind of like life that way!

The movie stars Emma Watson as Meg March, the oldest sister. She is beautiful and the “perfect daughter” of that time period. She is beautiful, domestic, and doesn’t have an independent streak. She makes a good match and is often lecturing her sisters on proper decorum.

Jo, played by Saorise Ronan, is the complete opposite. Only a year younger than Meg, she is stubborn, not interested in “feminine” things, and smart. She longs to be a writer, and in the second half of the book, she is in the process of writing Little Women.

The movie changes the ending of Jo’s story, and it is a lovely modern twist! Keep reading these Little Women quotes to learn more about the March sisters.

Best Little Women quotes from the movie

1. “Just because my dreams are different than yours, it doesn’t mean they’re unimportant.” — Meg March, Emma Watson

2. “I try to be contented, but it is hard. I’m tired of being poor.” — Meg March, Emma Watson

3. “I care more to be loved. I want to be loved.” — Jo March, Saoirse Ronan

4. “If I’m going to sell my heroine into marriage for money, I might as well get some of it.” — Jo March, Saoirse Ronan

5. “Women have minds and souls as well as just hearts, and they’ve got ambition and talent as well as just beauty. And I’m sick of people saying love is all a woman is fit for.” — Jo March, Saoirse Ronan

6. “Writing doesn’t confer importance, it reflects it.” — Jo March, Saoirse Ronan

7. “Life is too short to be angry at one’s sisters.” — Jo March, Saoirse Ronan

8. “I will not be the person you settle for just because you can’t have her.” — Amy March, Florence Pugh

9. “Why be ashamed of what you want?” — Amy March, Florence Pugh

10. “I believe we have some power over who we love. It isn’t something that just happens to a person.” — Amy March, Florence Pugh

11. “The world is hard on ambitious girls.” — Amy March, Florence Pugh

12. “With all these good things to enjoy, you can find nothing to do but dawdle.” — Amy March, Florence Pugh

13. “No, I’d be respected if I couldn’t be loved.” — Amy March, Florence Pugh

14. (referring to her music) “I only do that for us. I don’t need anyone else to hear it.” — Beth March, Eliza Scanlan

Little Women quotes about love and relationships

15. “Love is a great beautifier.” — Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

16. “Beauty, youth, good fortune, even love itself, cannot keep care and pain, loss and sorrow, from the most blessed for…into each life some rain must fall, some days must be dark and sad and dreary.” — Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

17. “Jo had learned that hearts, like flowers, cannot be rudely handled, but must open naturally.” — Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

18. “I am lonely, sometimes, but I dare say it’s good for me.” — Jo March

19. “You don’t need scores of suitors. You need only one, if he’s the right one.” — Amy March

20. “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.” — Mrs. March

Little Women book quotes from the novel about money, work, and status

21. “I’m not ambitious for a splendid fortune, but I know, by experience, how much genuine happiness can be had in a plain little house, where the daily bread is earned, and some privations give sweetness to the few pleasures. I am content to see Meg begin humbly, for if I am not mistaken, she will be rich in the possession of a good man’s heart, and that is better than a fortune.” — Mrs. March

22. “Money is a needful and precious thing,—and, when well used, a noble thing,—but I never want you to think it is the first or only prize to strive for.” — Mrs. March

23. “I’d rather see you poor men’s wives, if you were happy, beloved, contented, then queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace.” — Mrs. March

24. “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 bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success.” — Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

25. “Now and then, in this workaday world, things do happen in the delightful storybook fashion, and what a comfort it is.” — Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

26. “Go on with your work as usual, for work is a blessed solace.” — Mrs. March

27. “The humblest tasks get beautified if loving hands do them.” — Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

Little Women quotes from and about Jo Marsh

28. “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.” — Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

29. “I don’t like to doze by the fire. I like adventures, and I’m going to find some.” — Jo March

30. ”Don’t try to make me grow up before my time, Meg.” — Jo March

31. “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

32. “I want to do something splendid before I go into my castle—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. I think I shall write books, and get rich and famous; that would suit me, so that is my favorite dream.” — Jo March

33. “I do think that families are the most beautiful things in all the world!” — Jo March

34. “I’ve got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I can unlock the door remains to be seen.” — Jo March

35. “I like good strong words that mean something.” — Jo March

36. “Don’t mind me. I’m as happy as a cricket here.” — Jo March

37. “If I didn’t care about doing right and didn’t feel uncomfortable doing wrong, I should get on capitally.” — Jo March

38. “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

39. “Jo’s eyes sparkled, for it’s always pleasant to be believed in, and a friend’s praise is always sweeter than a dozen newspaper puffs.” — Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

More Little Women quotes and lines

40. “Watch and pray, dear, never get tired of trying, and never think it is impossible to conquer your fault.” — Mrs. March

41. “Be comforted, dear soul! There is always light behind the clouds.” — Mrs. March

42. “Oh, my girls, however long you may live, I never can wish you a greater happiness than this!” — Mrs. March

43. “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.” — Beth March

44. “I never wanted to go away, and the hard part now is leaving you all. I’m not afraid, but it seems as if I should be homesick for you even in heaven.” — Beth March

45. “When you feel discontented, think over your blessings, and be grateful.” — Mrs. March

46. “If he is old enough to ask the question he is old enough to receive true answers. I am not putting the thoughts into his head but helping him unfold those already there. These children are wiser than we are…” — Mr. March

47. “I’d rather take coffee than compliments just now.” — Amy March

48. “I am angry nearly every day of my life.” — Mrs. March

49. “The sincere wish to be good is half the battle.” — Mrs. March

50. “I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.” — Amy March

Which of these Little Women quotes is your favorite?

Beth, Eliza Scanlan’s character, is a sweet soul who loves music. She is unfailingly kind, selfless, and brings so much joy to the story. That’s why her fate hits the reader so hard in the gut.

Amy, the last (and youngest of the March sisters), is as beautiful as her big sister Meg, yet creative like Jo and Beth. Amy is portrayed as selfish, vain, and concerned with material things, making her the least favorite of the sisters among readers.

The book is amazing and the movie did not disappoint! It received critical acclaim and grossed $218 million worldwide; winning several awards as well. Louisa May Alcott’s book has been adapted into seven different film and TV versions because it is relatable, romantic, and real. You will run the whole gamut of emotions with this one, while also learning some valuable life lessons along the way.

Do you have a favorite Little Women quote that didn’t make the list? Please share it with us in the comment section below.