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Source identified
“Do your best, and be as honest, useful, and happy as your father, and I won't care about making a fortune.”

Louisa May Alcott · Fictional character · Mrs Meg

Source
Jo's Boys
Date
1886
Attribution
Source identified
Voice / speaker
Fictional character · Mrs Meg
Meaning

What does this quote mean?

The family standard is character rather than wealth: a father’s honesty, usefulness and happiness are presented as a better inheritance to imitate than fortune-making alone.

Source context

Where does it come from?

Jo's Boys, Chapter 10, Project Gutenberg #3499. The line is spoken in a family discussion about work, money and the example of a father.

Primary / edition source ↗

Voice attribution

Who voices the line?

Fictional character · Mrs Meg. Jo’s Boys, Chapter 10, “Demi Settles.” Mrs Meg says this to her son John “Demi” Brooke after he tells her about beginning work with Mr Tiber.

The source author and the local speaker can be different, especially in fiction, drama, dialogue and poetry.

Attribution

How should this attribution be read?

This wording is connected with the named source shown above. Translations and editions can vary, so consult the source note when exact wording matters.

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Themes

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