时间可以吞噬一切，但不能吞噬的是伟大的思想、微笑、幽默、善良和勇气。
奥尔科特的作品《小妇人》讲述四个女孩的成长故事，她们的困惑也是每个少女在成长中所必须面对的，而文章中四个姐妹传达的充满了朝气、倔强、勇于承担的生命力也是值得少女们学习。
我们聆听一下四个女孩的母亲在孩子婚前的一段醍醐灌顶的话。
I want my daughters to be beautiful, accomplished, and good. To be admired, loved , and respected. To have a happy youth, to be well and wisely married, and to lead useful, pleasant lives, with as little care and sorrow to try them as God sees fit to send.
我希望我的女儿出落标志、才艺双全、善良、受人仰慕。 承蒙上帝厚爱，年轻时幸福快乐，无忧无虑，婚姻美满，过上开心快乐且有意义的日子。
To be loved and chosen by a good man is the best and sweetest thing which can happen to a woman, and I sincerely hope my girls may know this beautiful experience. It is natural to think of it, Meg, right to hope and wait for it , and wise to prepare for it, so that when the happy time comes, you may feel ready for the duties and worthy o f the joy.
对女人来说，最美好最甜蜜的事莫过于被好男人爱上并选为妻子。我希望我的孩子们能有这种美妙的体验。梅格，对一个未出嫁的女孩子来说，想嫁给好男人是很正常的想法、期盼和等待， 但提前做好准备才是最明智之举，当幸福的时刻降临，你才能担起责任，不辜负这份快乐。
My dear girls, I am ambitious for you, but not to have you make a dash in the world, marry rich men merely because they are rich, or have splendid houses, which are not homes because love is wanting.
亲爱的孩子们，母亲我对你们给予厚望，不希望你们迫不及待地嫁给家财万贯、门第显赫的人，没有爱的豪宅不是一个完整的家。
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, I’d rather see you poor men’s wives , if you were happy , beloved , contented, than queens on thrones , without self-respect and peace.
钱既是一个有用的珍宝也是一个稀世珍品，如果用之有道，才尽显价值，我绝不希望你们把钱看得很重，或作为一生追求的荣誉。我宁愿看见你们成为幸福快乐、心满意足的穷太太而不愿你们成为没有自尊、不得安宁的皇后娘娘。

2020年9月5日兰泽葳蕤 （英文整理自网络；兰泽葳蕤译）