Top Ten Quotes

1) "I'm the man of the family now Papa is away." (5) When arguing who should buy their mother the slippers, this statement shows Jo's personality as tomboyish, responsible, and proud.  She is proud of her manly qualities that her other sisters abhor.
2) "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 be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life become a beautiful success, in spite of poverty." (118) This statement is a good example of one of Marmee's many valuable life lessons for the girls.
3) "I always said she was a little saint." (136) Meg talking about her sister Beth.  It is a good quote because it shows what kind of person Beth is and how much she means to her family.
4) "Wouldn't it be fun if all the castles in the air which we make could come true and we could live in them?" (142) Jo talks about the hopes and dreams of her and her sisters. 
5) "As she spoke, Jo took off her bonnet, and a general outcry arose, for all her abundant hair was cut short." (161) Jo cut her one beauty and sold it to a wig maker to make money for her family when their father was ill. 
6) "Beth is my conscience, and I can't give her up; I can't! I can't!" (186) Jo telling Laurie how much her sister Beth means to her when Beth is sick and why Jo takes it so hard when she dies. 
7) "You've got me, anyhow.  I'm not good for much, I know; but I'll stand by you, Jo, all the days of my life; upon my word I will." (234) Laurie tells Jo when Meg announces her engagement. 
8) " 'It isn't a mere pleasure trip to me, girls,' she said impressively, as she scraped her best palette. 'It will decide my career; for if I have any genius, I shall find it out in Rome, and will do something to prove it.'" (308) Amy says this about her impending trip to Rome, and though she turns out not to be a great artist, her future is decided by the end of her trip. 
9) "He isn't old, nor anything bad, but good and kind, and the best friend I've got- next to you.  Pray don't fly into a passion; I want to be kind, but I know I shall get angry if you abuse my Professor.  I haven't the least idea of loving him, or anybody else." (363) Jo's impassioned speech about Professor Bhaer to Laurie when he tells her his love for her. 
10) "Not half so good as yours, mother.  Here it is, and we never can thank you enough for the patient sowing and reaping you have done." (490) Jo thanking their mother for raising them and teaching them all they needed to know to survive life and it's lessons.