I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship. — Louisa May Alcott · Smartyfair

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

Louisa May Alcott1832–1888 · writer · 1800s USALouisa May Alcott was an American author best known for writing Little Women, a beloved novel about four sisters growing up during the Civil War. She based much of the story on her own family and experiences.7 quotes

Source foundCourage1800s

In plain words

Storms stop being scary once you are learning to steer.

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Where these words come from

How sure this is: 94% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
What turned up: Little Women, 1868, Ch. 44 ("My Lord and Lady") — spoken by Amy
Occasion: 1868
Sources checked: en.wikiquote.orgChecked using claude-sonnet-5, 20 August 2026
gutenberg.orgChecked using claude-sonnet-5, 21 August 2026Project Gutenberg's public-domain full text of Little Women confirms the line verbatim (spoken by Amy, Part Second) — original uses the contraction 'I'm' rather than the stored 'I am'.

Nothing made from these words yet — Storyfaire is where they get made.

More from Louisa May Alcott

It takes people a long time to learn the difference between talent and genius, especially ambitious young men and women.

Louisa May Alcott We live in a beautiful and wonderful world, and the more you know about it the wiser and the better you will be.

Louisa May Alcott It's my dreadful temper! I try to cure it; I think I have, and then it breaks out worse than ever.

Louisa May Alcott I've got the key to my castle in the air; but whether I can unlock the door, remains to be seen.

Louisa May Alcott I am angry nearly every day of my life, but I have learned not to show it.

Louisa May Alcott Looking at the lovely things you can see will help you to understand the lovelier things you cannot see.

Louisa May Alcott

More on courage

You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.

Marcus Aurelius You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.

Rabindranath Tagore Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.

Mahatma Gandhi For sometimes it is an act of bravery even to live.

Seneca If you see what is right and fail to act on it, you lack courage.

Confucius Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.

Marcus Aurelius