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We had good cake," I tell Caleb. "We had fizzy drinks," he says. "Ah, but did you have a ledge overlooking an underground river?" says Marlene, waggling her eyebrows. "Or a room where you faced all your nightmares at once?" "No," says Caleb, "and to be honest, I'm kind of okay with that. By Veronica Roth Caleb Cake Good Marlene Drinks

I look older. Maybe it's the short hair or maybe it's just that I wear all that has happened like a mask. Either way, I always thought I would be happy when I stopped looking like a child. But all I feel is a lump in my throat. I am no longer the daughter my parents knew. They will never know me as I am now. By Veronica Roth Older Mask Short Hair Wear

Okay. Then ... I can talk. Ask me something.""Okay." He laughs shakily in my ear. "Why is your heart racing Tris?"I cringe and say, "Well, I ... I barely know you. I barely know you and I'm crammed up against you in a box, Four, what do you think?" ... "Maybe you were cut out for Candor," he says, "because you're a terrible liar. By Veronica Roth Barely Tris Candor Talk Something

Wait a second," Four says. I turn toward him, wondering which version of Four I'll see now-the one who scolds me, or the one who climbs Ferris wheels with me. He smiles a little, but the smile doesn't spread to his eyes, which look less tense and worried."You belong here, you know that?" he says. "You belong with us. It'll be over soon, so just hold on, okay?"He scratches behind his ear and looks away, like he's embarrassed by what he said. I stare at him. I feel my heartbeat everywhere, even in my toes. I feel like doing something bold, but I could just as easily walk away. I am not sure which option is smarter, or better. I am not sure that I care.I reach out and take his hand. His fingers slide between mine. I can't breathe. I stare up at him, and he stares down at me. For a long moment, we stay that way. Then I pull my hand away and run after Uriah and Lynn and Marlene. Maybe now he thinks I'm stupid, or strange. Maybe it was worth it. By Veronica Roth Wait Belong Ferris Stare Feel

I don't . . ." I sound like I am being strangled. "My family is all dead, or traitors; how can I . . ." I am not making any sense. The sobs take over my body, my mind, everything. He gathers me to him, and bathwater soaks my legs. His hold is tight. I listen to his heartbeat and, after a while, find a way to let the rhythm calm me. "I'll be your family now," he says. "I love you," I say. By Veronica Roth Family Strangled Sound Dead Traitors

How did you inoculate yourself against the death serum?" he asks me. He's still sitting in his wheelchair, but you don't need to be able to walk to fire a gun.I blink at him, still dazed."I didn't," I say."Don't be stupid," David says. "You can't survive the death serum without an inoculation, and I'm the only person in the compound who possesses that substance."I just stare at him, not sure what to say. I didn't inoculate myself. The fact that I'm still standing upright is impossible. There's nothing more to add. By Veronica Roth Death Serum David Inoculate Wheelchair

He still smiles all the time, but now his smiles look like they're made out of water, about to drip down his face. By Veronica Roth Time Water Face Smiles Made

I heard the Candor made ice cream," says Marlene, twisting her head around to see the lunch line. "You know, as a kind of 'it sucks we got attacked, but at least there are desserts' thing.""I feel better already," says Lynn dryly."It probably won't be as good as Dauntless cake," says Marlene mournfully. She sighs, and a strand of mousy brown hair falls in her eyes."We had good cake," I tell Caleb."We had fizzy drinks," he says."Ah, but did you have a ledge overlooking an underground river?" says Marlene, waggling her eyebrows. "Or a room where you faced all your nightmares at once?""No," says Caleb, "and to be honest, I'm kind of okay with that.""Si-ssy," sings Marlene."All your nightmares?" says Caleb, his eyes lighting up. "How does that work? I mean, are the nightmares produced by the computer or by your brain?""Oh God." Lynn drops her head into her hands. "Here we go. By Veronica Roth Marlene Candor Caleb Cream Twisting

I WAKE TO a headache. I try to go back to sleep - at least when I'm asleep, I'm calm - but the image of Caleb standing in the doorway runs through my mind over and over again, accompanied by the sound of squawking crows.Why did I never wonder how Eric and Jeanine knew that I had aptitude for three factions?Why did it never occur to me that only three people in the world knew that particular fact: Tori, Caleb, and Tobias?My head pounds. I can't make sense of it. I don't know why Caleb would betray me. I wonder when it happened - after the attack simulation? After the escape from Amity? Or was it earlier than that - was it back when my father was still alive? Caleb told us he left Erudite when he found out what they were planning - was he lying?He must have been. I press the heel of my hand to my forehead. My brother chose faction over blood. There has to be a reason. She must have threatened him. Or coerced him in some way. By Veronica Roth Wake Caleb Headache Knew Tori

Do they have to be so public?" I say."She just kissed him." Al frowns at me. When he frowns, his thick eyebrows touch his eyelashes. "It's not like they're stripping naked.""A kiss is not something you do in public."Al, Will, and Christina all give me the same knowing smile."What?" I say."Your Abnegation is showing," says Christina. "The rest of us are all right with a little affection in public.""Oh." I shrug. "Well ... I guess I'll have to get over it, then.""Or you can stay frigid," says Will, his green eyes glinting with mischief. "You know. If you want. By Veronica Roth Public Say Christina Public Frowns

I hear my heartbeat. I have been looking at him too long, but then, he has been looking back, and I feel like we are both trying to say something the other can't hear, though I could be imagining it. Too long - and now even longer, my heart even louder, his tranquil eyes swallowing me whole. By Veronica Roth Long Heartbeat Hear Back Feel

What makes you think you have the right to shoot someone?" my father says as he follows me up the path. We pass the tattoo place. Where is Tori now? And Christina?"Now isn't the time for debates about ethics," I say."Now is the perfect time," he says, "because you will soon get the opportunity to shoot someone again, and if you don't realize - ""Realize what?" I say without turning around. "That every second I waste means another Abnegation dead and another Dauntless made into a murderer? I've realized that. Now it's your turn.""There is a right way to do things.""What makes you so sure that you know what it is?" I say. By Veronica Roth Path Shoot Father Realize Makes

You will be the first test subject, Tobias. Beatrice, however ... " She smiles. "You are too injured to be of much use to me, so your execution will occur at the conclusion of this meeting."I try to hide the shudder that goes through me at the word "execution," my shoulder screaming with pain, and look up at Tobias. It's hard to blink tears back when I see the terror in Tobias's wide, dark eyes."No," says Tobias. His voice trembles, but his look stern as he shakes his head. "I would rather die.""I'm afraid you don't have much of a choice in that matter," replies Jeanine lightly.Tobias takes my face in this hands roughly and kisses me, the pressure of his lips pushing mine apart. I forget my pain and the terror of approaching death and for a moment, I am grateful that the memory of that kiss will be fresh in my mind as I meet my end. By Veronica Roth Tobias Subject Test Execution Terror

When I look at him, I don't see the cowardly young man who sold me out to Jeanine Matthews, and i don't hear the excuses he gave afterward. When I look at him, I see the boy who held my hand in the hospital when our mother broke her wrist and told me it would be all right. I see the brother who told me to make my own choices, the night before the Choosing Ceremony. I think of all the remarkable things he issmart and enthusiastic and observant, quiet and earnest and kind. By Veronica Roth Matthews Jeanine Afterward Cowardly Young

So small as to be negligible.It's strange, but there's something in that thought that makes me feel almost ... free. By Veronica Roth Strange Free Small Thought Makes

Zeke was cleared by the Candor an hour ago, in a short interrogation on the eighteenth floor. It was not as somber an occasion as Tobias's and my interrogation, partly because there was no suspicious video footage implicating Zeke, and partly because Zeke is funny even when under truth serum. Maybe especially so. In any case, we came to the Gathering Place "for a 'Hey, you're not a dirty traitor!' celebration," as Uriah put it."Yeah, but we've been insulting you since the simulation attack," Lynn says. "And now I feel like a jerk about it."Zeke puts his arm around Shauna. "You are a jerk, Lynn. It's part of your charm."Lynn launches a plastic cup at him, which he deflects. Water sprays over the table, hitting him in the eye. "Anyway, as I was saying," says Zeke, rubbing his eye, "I was mostly working on getting Erudite defectors out safely. By Veronica Roth Zeke Candor Lynn Interrogation Ago

I shield my eyes from the sun to see her cold look - the expression I saw in my mind even before I looked at her. She looks older to me than she ever has, stern and tough and worn by time. I feel that way, too."These people have no regard for human life," she says. "They're about to wipe the memories of all our friends and neighbors. They're responsible for the deaths of a large majority of our old faction." She sidesteps me and marches toward the door. "I think they're lucky I'm not going to kill them. By Veronica Roth Shield Eyes Sun Cold Expression

I barely remember that I agreed to participate in a genetic test until someone else appears at the door to the dormitory--a boy, or not really a boy, since he looks about as old as I am. He waves to Tris."Oh, that's Matthew," she says. "I guess we should get going."She takes my hand and leads me toward the doorway. Somehow I missed her mentioning that "Matthew" wasn't a crusty old scientist. Or maybe she didn't mention it at all.Don't be stupid, I think. Matthew sticks out his hand. "Hi. It's nice to meet you. I'm Matthew.""Tobias," I say, because "Four" sounds strange here, where people would never identify themselves by how many fears they have. "You too. By Veronica Roth Boy Matthew Dormitory Barely Remember

Two years ago," she says, "I was afraid of spiders, suffocation, walls that inch slowly inward and trap you between them,getting thrown out of Dauntless, uncontrollable bleeding, getting run over by a train, my father's death,public humiliation, and kidnapping by men without faces."Everyone stares blankly at her."Most of you will have anywhere from ten to fifteen years in your fear landscapes. That is the average number," she says."What's the lowest number someone has gotten?" asks Lynn."In recent years," says Lauren, "four."I have not looked at Tobias since we were in the cafeteria,but I can't help but look at him now. He keeps his eyes trained on the floor. I knew that four was a low number, low enough to merit a nickname,but I didn't know it was less than half the average.I glare at my feet.He's exceptional. And now he won't even look at me. By Veronica Roth Dauntless Suffocation Years Ago Spiders

I feel acutely aware of how young I am. In a way that is good. It's productive. It makes me realise that I should be growing as a writer and a person. By Veronica Roth Feel Acutely Aware Young Good

But now I'm wondering if I need it anymore, if we ever really need these words, "Dauntless," "Erudite," "Divergent," "Allegiant," or if we can just be friends or lovers or siblings, defined instead by the choices we make and the love and loyalty that binds us. By Veronica Roth Dauntless Erudite Divergent Allegiant Anymore

I fire again and again, and none of the bullets come close."Statistically speaking," the Erudite boy next to me-his name is Will-says, grinning at me, "you should have hit the target at least once by now, even by accident." He is blond, with shaggy hair and a crease between his eyebrows."Is that so," I say without inflection."Yeah," he says. "I think you're actually defying nature."I grit my teeth and turn toward the target, resolving to at least stand still. If I can't muster the first task they give us,how will I ever make it through stage one?I squeeze the trigger,hard, and this time I'm ready for the recoil.It makes my hand jump back,but my feet stay planted.A bullet hole appears at the edge of the target,and I raise an eyebrow at Will."So you see,I'm right.The stats don't lie," he says.I smile a little. By Veronica Roth Statistically Willsays Erudite Close Speaking

I fall in love with this life all over again. It's only when I try to live it myself that I have trouble. It never feels genuine. By Veronica Roth Fall Love Life Trouble Genuine

This concept could easily have gone awry. Stories about love tend to go that way sometimes. They wander into the realm of cheese and never return, which I think is a shame, because there is a way to write about romantic love without breaking out the Velveeta. By Veronica Roth Awry Concept Easily Velveeta Love

You didn't inoculate yourself yesterday," I say to Peter."No, I didn't," Peter says."Why not?""Why should I tell you?"I run my thumb over the vial and say, "You came with me because you know I have the memory serum, right? If you want me to give it to you, it couldn't hurt to give me a reason."He looks at my pocket again, like he did earlier. He must have seen Christina give it to me. He says, "I'd rather just take it from you.""Please." I lift my eyes up, to watch the snow spilling over the edges of the buildings. It's dark, but the moon provides just enough light to see by. "You might think you're pretty good at fighting, but you aren't good enough to beat me, I promise you."Without warning he shoves me, hard, and I slip on the snowy ground and fall. My gun clatters to the ground, half buried in the snow. That'll teach me to get cocky, I think, and I scramble to my feet. By Veronica Roth Peter Peter Give Yesterday Says

Four and I stay behind. I wait until the room is empty and the door is shut before looking at him again. He walks towards me. "Is your-" he begins. "You did that on purpose!" I shout. "Yes, I did," he says quietly. "And you should thank me for helping you." I grit my teeth. "Thank you? You almost stabbed my ear, and you spent the entire time taunting me. Why should I thank you?" "You know, I'm getting a little tired of waiting for you to catch on!" He glares at me, and even when he glares, his eyes looks thoughtful. Their shade of blue is peculiar, so dark it is almost black, with a small patch of lighter blue on the left iris, right next to the corner of his eye. By Veronica Roth Stay Glares Blue Wait Room

Dear David, I'm sorry, but it's not going to happen the way we planned it. I can't do it. I know you're just going to think I'm being a stupid teenager, but this is my life and if I'm going to be here for years, I have to do this my way. I'll still be able to do my job from outside of Erudite. So tomorrow, at the Choosing Ceremony, Andrew and I are going to choose Abnegation together. I hope you're not angry. I guess even if you are, I won't hear about it. - Natalie By Veronica Roth David Dear Happen Planned Erudite

That's why you like me!' I exclaim. 'Because you're not nice either! It makes so much more sense now.''Come on,' he says. 'We're going to see Johanna.''I like you, too.''That's encouraging,' he replies flatly. 'Come on. Oh for God's sake. I'll just carry you. By Veronica Roth Exclaim Johanna God Too Encouraging

Without thinking, I grab Al's arm and squeeze it as tightly as I can. I just need something to hold on to. Blood runs down the side of Christina's face and splatters on the ground next to her cheek. This is the first time I have ever prayed for someone to fall unconscious ... Al frees his hand and pulls me tight to his side. I clench my teeth to keep from crying out. By Veronica Roth Thinking Grab Arm Squeeze Tightly

Nothing else is alright. But we are. -Tobias By Veronica Roth Tobias Alright

That dot covers all the places we've ever been. You could cut that piece of land out of the ground and sing it into this ocean and no one would even notice.I feel that fear again, the fear of my own size. 'Right. So?''So? So everything I've ever worried about or said or done, how can it possibly matter?' He shakes his head. 'It doesn't.''Of course it does,' I say, 'All that land is filled with people, every one of them different, and the things they do to each other matter. By Veronica Roth Dot Covers Places Fear Matter

Tris," he says. "What did they do to you? You're acting like a lunatic.""That's not very nice of you to say," I say. "They put me in a good mood, that's all. And now I really want to kiss you, so if you could just relax- By Veronica Roth Tris Lunatic Mood Acting Nice

Where's Shauna?" I say. "Still in the hospital?""No, she's over there," says Zeke, nodding to the table Lynn walked back to. I see her there, so pale she might as well be translucent, sitting in a wheelchair. "Shana shouldn't be up, but Lynn's pretty messed up, so she's keeping her company.""But if you're wondering why they're all the way over there ... Shauna found out I'm Divergent," says Uriah sluggishly. "And she doesn't want to catch it.""Oh.""She got all weird with me, too," says Zeke, sighing. "'How do you know your brother isn't working against us? Have you been watching him?' What I wouldn't give to punch whoever poisoned her mind.""You don't have to give anything," says Uriah. "Her mother's sitting right there. Go ahead and hit her. By Veronica Roth Zeke Lynn Uriah Shauna Sitting

I am your instructor", he says."My name is Four".Christina asks, "Four? Like the number?""Yes", Four says. "Is there a problem?""No.""Good. We're about to go into the Pit, which you will someday learn to love. It-"Christina snickers. "The Pit? Clever name."Four walks up to Christina and leans his face close to hers. His eyes narrow, and for a second he just stares at her."What's your name?" he asks quietly."Christina", she squeaks."Well, Christina, if I wanted to put up with Candor smart-mouths, I would have joined their faction", he hisses. "The first lesson you will learn from me is to keep your mouth shut.Got that? By Veronica Roth Christina Pit Instructor Says Good

The only reason I haven't shot you yet is because he's the one who should get to do it," I say. "Stay away from him or I'll decide I no longer care. By Veronica Roth Reason Shot Stay Care Decide

All I can see when I look at him is a belt swinging toward Tobias, and the butt of a gun slamming into Caleb's jaw. I don't care that he hurt CalebI would have done it, toobut that he is simultaneously a man who knows how to hurt people and a man who parades around as the self-effacing leader of Abnegation, suddenly makes me so angry I can't see straight.Especially because I chose him. I chose him over Tobias. "Your brother is a traitor," says Marcus as we turn a corner. "He deserved worse. There's no need to look at me that way.""Shut up!" I shout, shoving him hard into the wall. He is too surprised to push back. "I hate you, you know that! I hate you for what you did to him, and I am not talking about Caleb." I lean close to his face and whisper, "And while I may not shoot you myself, I will definitely not help you if someone tries to kill you, so you'd better hope to God we don't get into that situation. By Veronica Roth Tobias Man Jaw Chose Hurt

I think that you are the liar!" I say, my voice quaking. "You tell me you love me, you trust me, you think I'm more perceptive than the avarge person. And the first second that belief in my perceptiveness, that trust, that love is put to the test, it all falls apart." I am crying now, nut I am not ashamed of the tears shining on my cheeks or the thickness of my voice. "So you must have lied when you told me all those things ... you must have, because I can't believe your love really is that feeble."I step closer to him, so that there are only inches between us, and none of the others can hear me. "I am still the person who would have died rather than kill you," I say, remembering the attack simulation and the feel of his heartbeat under my hand. "I am exactly who you think I am. By Veronica Roth Love Liar Voice Trust Person

Too bad you didn't just take Max up on his offer, Four. Well, too bad for you, anyway," says Eric quietly as he clicks the bullet into its chamber. My lungs burn; I haven't breathed in almost a minute. I see Tobias's hand twitch in the corner of my eye, but my hand is already on my gun. I press the barrel to Eric's forehead. His eyes widen, and his face goes slack, and for a second he looks like another sleeping Dauntless soldier. My index finger hovers over the trigger. "Get your gun away from his head," I say. "You won't shoot me," Eric replies. "Interesting theory. " I say. By Veronica Roth Max Eric Bad Offer Hand

The man running toward me is not a man, he is a boy. A shaggy-haired boy with a crease between his eyebrows. Will. Dull-eyed and mindless, but still Will. He stops running and mirrors me, his feet planted and his gun up. In an instant, I see his finger poised over the trigger and hear the bullet slide into the chamber, and I fire. My eyes squeezed shut. Can't breathe.The bullet hit him in the head. I know because that's where I aimed it. By Veronica Roth Man Boy Running Bullet Eyebrows

She tries to turn too soon, and the ladder smacks into Fernando's shoulder."Oh! Sorry, Nando."The jolt knocks his glasses askew. He smiles at Christina and takes the glasses off, shoving them into his pocket."Nando?" I say to him. "I thought the Erudite didn't like nicknames?""When a pretty girl calls you by a nickname," he says, "it is only logical to respond to it. By Veronica Roth Fernando Shoulder Nando Turn Ladder

May the peace of God be with you," she says, her voice low, "even in the midst of trouble.""Why would it?" I say softly, so no one else can hear. "After all I've done ... ""It isn't about you," she says. "It is a gift. You cannot earn it, or it ceases to be a gift. By Veronica Roth God Low Trouble Peace Voice

I suppose that now would be the time to ask for forgiveness for all the things I've done, but I'm sure my list would never be complete. I also don't believe that whatever comes after life depends on my correctly reciting a list of my transgressions ... I don't believe that what comes after depends on anything I do at all. By Veronica Roth Complete List Suppose Time Forgiveness

Four shrugs. "So I suggest that you take the next week to consider your fears and develop strategies to face them." "That doesn't sound fair," says Peter. "What if one person only has seven fears and someone else has twenty? That's not their fault." Four stares at him for a few seconds and then laughs. "Do you really want to talk to me about what's fair?" The crowd of initiates parts to make way for him as he walks toward Peter, folds his arms, and says, in a deadly voice, "I understand why you're worried, Peter. The events of last night certainly proved that you are a miserable coward." Peter stares back, expressionless. "So now we all know," says Four, quietly, "that you are afraid of a short, skinny girl from Abnegation." His mouth curls in a smile. By Veronica Roth Peter Shrugs Fears Fair Stares

That doesn't sound fair," says Peter. "What if one person only has seven fears and someone else has twenty? That's not their fault."Four stares at him for a few seconds and then laughs. "Do you really want to talk to me about what's fair?"The crowd of initiates parts to make way for him as he walks toward Peter, folds his arms,and says,in a deadly voice, "I understand why you're worried, Peter.The events of last night certainly proved that you are a miserable coward."Peter stares back,expressionless."So now we all know," says Four, quietly, "that you are afraid of a short, skinny girl from Abnegation." His mouth curls in a smile.Will puts his arm around me. Christina's shoulders shake with suppressed laughter. And somewhere within me,I find a smile too. By Veronica Roth Peter Fair Sound Stares Abnegation

Want something else more than success. Success is a lovely thing, but your desire to say something, your worth, and your identity shouldn't rely on it, because it's not guaranteed and it's not permanent and it's not sufficient. So work hard, fall in love with the writing - the characters, the story, the words, the themes - and make sure that you are who you are regardless of your life circumstances. That way, when the good things come, they don't warp you, and when the bad things hit you, you don't fall apart. By Veronica Roth Success Things Fall Worth Sufficient

I can't imagine what kind of poverty would motivate a person to forget themselves and everyone they loved so their families could get a monthly stipend. I may have lived on Abnegation bread and vegetables for most of my life, with nothing to spare, but I was never that desperate. Their situation must have been much worse than anything I saw in the city. - Tris By Veronica Roth Stipend Imagine Kind Poverty Motivate

I'm not going to pretend to know what's going on with you," he says. "But if you senselessly risk your life again ""I am not senselessly risking my life. I am trying to make sacrifices, like my parents would have, like ""You are not your parents You are a sixteen-year-old girl "I grit my teeth. "How dare you "" who doesn't understand that the value of a sacrifice lies in its necessity, not in throwing your life away! And if you do that again, you and I are done. By Veronica Roth Life Pretend Senselessly Parents Girl

I cross my arms. "It was a two minute conversation." "I don't think a smaller time frame makes it less unwise." He furrows his eyebrows and touches the corner of my bruised eye with his fingertips. My head jerks back, but he doesn't take his hand away. Instead he sighs. "You know, if you could just learn to attack first, you might do better." "Attack first?" I say. "How will that help?" "You're fast. If you can get a few good hits in before they know what's going on, you could win." He shrugs, and his hand falls. By Veronica Roth Arms Cross Attack Hand Conversation

Before I exit the room, I unbutton my ripped long-sleeved shirt and let it fall on the ground. The gray T-shirt I am wearing beneath it is still oversized, but it's darker, blends in better with the black Dauntless clothes. By Veronica Roth Room Ground Exit Unbutton Ripped

I am wearing a gray shirt, blue jeans, black shoesnew clothes, but beneath them, my Dauntless tattoos. It is impossible to erase my choices. Especially these. By Veronica Roth Dauntless Shirt Blue Jeans Black

There's a reason why she left them, Lauren," he says. His voice is deep, and it rumbles. "What's your name?" "Um ... " I don't know why I hesitate. But "Beatrice" just doesn't sound right anymore."Think about it," he says, a faint smile curling his lips. " You don't get to pick again." A new place, a new name. I can be remade here. "Tris," I say firmly. By Veronica Roth Lauren Reason Left Beatrice Tris

No factions? A world in which no one knows who they are or where they fit? I can't even fathom it. I imagine only chaos and isolation. By Veronica Roth Factions Fit World Isolation Fathom

You're my daughter. I don't care about the factions. By Veronica Roth Daughter Factions Care

I see love developing from friendship. Common ground is a strong basis for friendship. My husband is my best friend and we have a lot in common even though we're admittedly different people. I think it evolves from how I see relationships working. You know, the opposites attract thing happens all the time, but so does the best friends thing. It's just a great kind of relationship in fiction. By Veronica Roth Friendship Love Developing Common Thing

Then Drew shuffles into the dining hall. I drop my toast, and my mouth drifts open.Calling him "bruised" would be an understatement. His face is swollen and purple. He has a split lip and a cut running through his eyebrow. He keeps his eyes down on the way to his table, not even lifting them to look at me. I glance across the room at Four. He wears the satisfied smile I wish I had on. By Veronica Roth Drew Hall Shuffles Dining Bruised

Al walks toward the railing. "No," Eric says. "She has to do it on her own." "No, she doesn't," Al growls. "She did what you said. She's not a coward. She did what you said." Eric doesn't respond. Al reaches over the railing, and he's so tall that he can reach Christina's wrist. She grabs his forearm. Al pulls her up, his face red with frustration, and I run forward to help. I'm too short to do much good as I suspected, but I grip Christina under the shoulder once she's high enough, and Al and I haul her over the barrier. She drops to the ground her face still blood smeared from the fight, her back soaking wet, her body quivering. I kneel next to her. Her eyes lift to mine, then shift to Al, and we all catch our breath together. By Veronica Roth Eric Walks Railing Christina Face

Besides,' she says, 'not every friendship turns into a romance. I haven't tried to kiss you yet. By Veronica Roth Romance Friendship Turns Kiss

Don't get me wrong, I like to laugh, but I also want a relationship to mean something, you know?" I nod. I do know - better than most people, maybe, because Tobias and I aren't really the joking type. "Besides," she says, "not every friendship turns into a romance. I haven't tried to kiss you yet." I laugh. "True." "Where have you been lately?" Christina says. She wiggles her eyebrows. "With Four? Doing a little . . . addition? Multiplication?" I cover my face with my hands. "That was the worst joke I've ever heard." "Don't dodge the question." "No 'addition' for us," I say. "Not yet, anyway. By Veronica Roth Wrong Relationship Laugh Addition Tobias

I will be my undoing,If I become my obsession.I will forget the ones I love,If I do not serve them.I will war with others,If I refuse to see them.Therefore, I choose to turn awayFrom my reflection,To rely not on myselfBut on my brothers and sisters,To project always outwardUntil I disappear[And only God remains.] By Veronica Roth God Themtherefore Disappear Remains Undoingif

I'm confused, Beatrice," she says. "What exactly do you want us to do?""I didn't come here to ask you for help," I say. "I thought you should know that a lot of people are going to die, very soon. And I know you don't want to stay here doing nothing while that happens, even if some of your faction does."She looks down, her crooked mouth betraying just how right I am."I also wanted to ask you if we can talk to the Erudite you're keeping safe here," I say. "I know they're hidden, but I need access to them.""And what do you intend to do?" she says."Shoot them," I say, rolling my eyes."That isn't funny."I sigh. "Sorry. I need information. That's all. By Veronica Roth Beatrice Confused Erudite Shoot Die

I think it would be easier to fight in a dress," says Marlene, tapping her chin. "It would give your legs freer movement. And who really cares if you flash people your underwear, as long as you're kicking the crap out of them?"Lynn goes silent, like she recognizes that as a spark of brilliance but can't bring herself to admit it."What's this about flashing underwear?" says Uriah, sidestepping a bunk. "Whatever it is, I'm in. By Veronica Roth Marlene Dress Tapping Chin Easier

I just want to thank you," he says, his voice low. "A group of scientists told you that my genes were damaged, that there was something wrong with me - they showed you test results that proved it. And even I started to believe it." He touches my face, his thumb skimming my cheekbone, and his eyes are on mine, intense and insistent. "You never believed it," he says. "Not for a second. You always insisted that I was . . . I don't know, whole." I cover his hand with my own. "Well, you are." "No one has ever told me that before," he says softly. "It's what you deserve to hear," I say firmly, my eyes going cloudy with tears. "That you're whole, that you're worth loving, that you're the best person I've ever known." Just By Veronica Roth Low Voice Told Eyes Damaged

The knife will only hurt for a moment. Then your choice will be made, and it will all be over. By Veronica Roth Moment Knife Hurt Made Choice

It seems fitting that the blow would leave a mark on both of us. That's how the world works. By Veronica Roth Fitting Blow Leave Mark Works

Or you can stay frigid," says WIll, his green eyes glinting with mischief. "You know. If you want." Christina throws a roll at him. He catches it and bites it. "Don't be mean to her," she says. "Frigidity is in her nature. Sort of like being a know-it-all is in yours." "I am not frigid!" I exclaim. "Don't worry about it," says Will. It's endearing. Look you're all red. By Veronica Roth Mischief Stay Green Eyes Glinting

Keep your mouth shut around me," he says, his voice low, "or I will do this again, only next time, I'll shove it right through your esophagus.""That's enough," Evelyn says. Edward drops the fork and releases Peter. Then he walks across the room and sits next to the person who called him "Eddie" a moment before."I don't know if you know this," Tobias says, "but Edward is a little unstable.""I'm getting that," I say."That Drew guy, who helped Peter perform that butter-knife maneuver," Tobias says. "Apparently when he got kicked out of Dauntless, he tried to join the same group of factionless Edward was a part of. Notice that you haven't seen Drew anywhere.""Did Edward kill him?" I say."Nearly," Tobias says. "Evidently that's why that other transfer--Myra, I think her name was?--left Edward. Too gentle to bear it. By Veronica Roth Tobias Evelyn Edward Peter Drew

My throat feels tight. "But I betrayed you. I left you.""You're my daughter. I don't care about the factions."She shakes her head. "Look where they got us. Human beings as a whole cannot be good for long before the bad creeps in and poisons us again. By Veronica Roth Tight Throat Feels You Daughter

She walks away, and I am too stunned to follow her. At the end of the hallways she turns and says, "Have a piece of cake for me, all right? The chocolate. It's delicious." She smiles a strange, twisted smile, and adds," I love you, you know." And then she's gone. I stand alone in the blue light coming from the lamp above me, and I understand: She has been to the compound before. She remembered this hallways. She knows about the initiation process. My mother was a dauntless. By Veronica Roth Walks Stunned Follow Hallways End

Because inside me is a beast that snarls, and growls, and strains toward freedom.. and as hard as I try, I cannot kill it. By Veronica Roth Snarls Growls Freedom Inside Beast

I have been attacked by crows and men with grotesque faces; I have been set on fire by the boy who almost threw me off a ledge; I have almost drowned - twice - and this> is what I can't cope with? This is the fear I have no solutions for - a boy I like, who wants to ... have sex with me? By Veronica Roth Faces Ledge Drowned Boy Attacked

I regret ... " Tobias tilts his head, and sighs. "I regret my choice.""What Choice?""Dauntless," he says. "I was born Abnegation. I was planning on leaving Dauntless, and becoming factionless. But I met her, and ... I felt like maybe I could make something more of my decision."Her. By Veronica Roth Dauntless Regret Tobias Choice Abnegation

I'll be your family now," he says."I love you," I say.I said that once, before I went to Erudite headquarters, but he was asleep then. I don't know why I didn't say it when he could hear it. Maybe I was afraid to trust him with something so personal as my devotion. Or afraid that I did not know what it was to love someone. But now I think the scary thing was not saying it before it was almost too late. Not saying it before it was almost too late for me.I am his, and he is mine, and it has been that way all along.He stares at me. I wait with my hands clutching his arms for stability as he considers his response.He frowns at me. "Say it again.""Tobias," I say, "I love you."His skin is slippery with water and he smells like sweat and my shirt sticks to his arms when he slides them around me. He presses his face to my neck and kisses me right above the collarbone, kisses my cheek, kisses my lips."I love you, too," he says. By Veronica Roth Erudite Love Says Headquarters Family

I love you, I say.I said that once, before I went to Erudite headquarters, but he was asleep then. I don't know why I didn't say it when he could hear it. Maybe I was afraid to trust him with something so personal as my devotion. Or afraid that I did not know what it was to love someone. But now I think the scary thing was not saying it before it was too late. Not saying it before it was almost too late for me. By Veronica Roth Erudite Headquarters Sayi Asleep Love

Yesterday he told me he thought I would have to pretend to be weak, but he was wrong. I am weak already. I brace myself against the wall and press my forehead to my hands. It's difficult to take deep breaths, so I take short, shallow ones. I can't let this happen. They attacked me to make me feel weak. I can pretend they succeeded to protect myself, but I can't let it become true. By Veronica Roth Weak Yesterday Wrong Told Thought

And don't pay attention to Christina. Your face doesn't look that bad." He smiles a little. "I mean, it looks good. It always looks good. i meanyou look brave. Dauntless." His eyes skirt mine, and he scratches the back of his head. The silence grows between us. It was a nice thing to say, but he acts like it means more than just words. I hope I am wrong. I could not be attracted to Al I could not be attracted to anyone that fragile. I smile as much as my bruised cheek will allow, hoping that will diffuse the tension. By Veronica Roth Christina Pay Attention Good Attracted

Evelyn puts one arm around Tobias and touches his face with the other, pressing her cheek to his. She says something to him. He smiles at her when he pulls away. Mother and son, reconciled. I am not sure it's wise. By Veronica Roth Tobias Evelyn Pressing Puts Arm

He wanted you to be the small, quiet girl from Abnegation," Four says softly. "He hurt you because your strength made him feel weak. No other reason."I nod and try to believe him."The others won't be as jealous if you show some vulnerability. Even if it isn't real.""You think I have to pretend to be vulnerable?" I ask, raising an eyebrow."Yes,I do." He takes the ice pack from me, his fingers brushing mine, and holds it against my head himself. I put my hand down, too eager to relax my arm to object. Four stands up. I stare at the hem of his T-shirt.Sometimes I see him as just another person, and sometimes I feel the sight of him in my gut, like a deep ache."You're going to want to march into breakfast tomorrow and show your attackers they had no effect on you," he adds, "but you should let that bruise on your cheek show, and keep your head down."The idea nauseates me. By Veronica Roth Abnegation Small Quiet Softly Wanted

The scars on her face said something different about her, too-that she, like Cyra, knew what she was risking when she risked her life."pg 337 By Veronica Roth Cyra Toothat Knew Life Scars

And as for going into a bookstore and not finding a book suitable for your 13-year-old ... maybe you should do some research before you go in? And I'm being serious here. There are a bunch of great blogs that will tell you the content of books. Reading Teen is one of them, and I've seen others, and I love what they do because they make YA books feel safe to protective parents. There are plenty of YA books that celebrate joy and beauty. Now, I would argue that many of them are also the "dark" books to which the article refers, and that saying they aren't suggests a pretty inattentive reader ... but that's neither here nor there. I'm not trying to bicker with the careful parents. I'm just saying: do some research and you'll be surprised what you find.So, that's what I'm going to say about it. By Veronica Roth Books Bookstore Finding Suitable Parents

I wasn't good enough for abnegation," I say, "and I wanted to be free. So I chose Dauntless." "Why weren't you good enough?" "Because I was selfish." I say. "You were selfish? You aren't anymore?" "Of course I am. My mother said that everyone is selfish," I say, "but I became less selfish in Dauntless. I discovered there were people I would fight for. Die for, even. By Veronica Roth Selfish Dauntless Good Abnegation Free

Four wanders through the crowd of initiates, watching us as we go through the movements again. When he stops in front of me, my insides twist like someone is stirring them with a fork. He stares at me, his eyes following my body from my head to my feet, not lingering anywhere - a practical, scientific gaze."You don't have much muscle", he says, "which means you're better off using your knees and elbows. You can put more power behind them."Suddenly he presses a hand to my stomach. His fingers are so long that, though the heel of his hand touches one side of my rib cage, his fingertips still touch the other side. My heart pounds so hard my chest hurts, and I stare at him, wide-eyed."Never forget to keep tension here", he says in a quiet voice.Four lifts his hand and keeps walking. I feel the pressure of his palm even after he's gone. It's strange, but I have to stop and breathe for a few seconds before I can keep practicing again. By Veronica Roth Initiates Watching Hand Wanders Crowd

They're similar, Cara and Tris, two women sharpened by loss. The difference is that Cara's pain has made her certain of everything, and Tris has guarded her uncertainty, protected it, despite all she's been through. She still approaches everything with a question instead of an answer. It is something I admire about her - something I should probably admire more. For By Veronica Roth Tris Cara Similar Loss Women

To continue to love someone so far beyond help, beyond redemption, was madness By Veronica Roth Redemption Madness Continue Love

My father used to say that sometimes, the best way to help someone is just to be near them. I feel good when I do something I know he would be proud of, like it makes up for all the things I've done that he wouldn't be proud of. By Veronica Roth Proud Father Feel Good Makes

There are other kinds of people in this world. There is the kind like Tris, who, after suffering and betrayal, could still find enough love to lay down her life instead of her brother's. Or the kind like Cara, who could still forgive the person who shot her brother in the head. Or Christina, who lost friend after friend but still decided to stay open, to make new ones. Appearing in front of me is another choice, brighter and stronger than the ones I gave myself. By Veronica Roth World Kind People Tris Brother

It's strange how a word, a phrase, a sentence, can feel like a blow to the head. By Veronica Roth Word Phrase Sentence Head Strange

He looks like a man who has spent most of his life frowning. By Veronica Roth Frowning Man Spent Life

I like to think I'm helping them by hating them. I'm reminding them that they aren't God's gift to humankind. By Veronica Roth Helping Hating God Humankind Reminding

I don't want to say this," he says, "but I feel like I have to. It is more important for you to be safe than right, for the time being. Understand?"His straight eyebrows are drawn low over his eyes. My stomach writhes, partly because I know he makes a good point but I don't want to admit it, and partly because I want something I don't know how to express; I want to press against the space between us until it disappears.I nod."But please, when you see an opportunity ... " He presses his hand to my cheek, cold and strong, and tilts my head up so I have to look at him. His eyes glint. They look almost predatory. "Ruin them. By Veronica Roth Feel Eyes Partly Ruin Understand

I think he came to die with me," I say. I clamp my hand over my mouth to stifle a sob. If I can keep breathing, I can stop crying. I didn't need or want him to die with me. I wanted to keep him safe. What an idiot, I think, but my heart isn't in it."That's ridiculous," he says. "That doesn't make any sense. He's eighteen; he'll find another girlfriend once you're dead. And he's stupid if he doesn't know that."Tears run down my cheeks, hot at first and then cold. I close my eyes. "If you think that's what it's about ... " I swallow another sob. " ... you're the stupid one. By Veronica Roth Die Sob Stupid Tears Clamp

It reminds me that no embrace will ever feel the same again, because no one will ever be like her again, because she's gone. She's gone, and crying feels so useless, so stupid, but it's all I can do. By Veronica Roth Reminds Embrace Useless Stupid Feel

Tris and I will be gone in two days," says Tobias. "I hope your faction doesn't change their decision to make this compound a safe house.""Our decisions are not easily unmade. What about Peter?""You'll have to deal with him separately," he says. "Because he won't be coming with us."Tobias takes my hand, and his skin feels nice against mine, though it's not smooth or soft. I smile apologetically at Johanna, and her expression remains unchanged."Four," she says. "If you and your friends would like to remain ... untouched by our serum, you may want to avoid the bread."Tobias says thank you over his shoulder as we make our way down the hallway together, me skipping every other step. By Veronica Roth Tobias Tris Days Peter Make

If we stay together, I'll have to forgive you over and over again, and if you're still in this, you'll have to forgive me over and over again too. So forgiveness isn't the point. What I really should have been trying to figure out is whether we were still good for each other or not By Veronica Roth Forgive Stay Point Forgiveness Figure

I'm going too," Peter says. "Unless you want me to tell David what you're planning."We all pause to look at him. I don't know what Peter wants with a journey into the city, but it can't be good. At the same time, we can't afford for David to find out what we're doing, not now, when there's no time."Fine," Tobias says. "But if you cause any trouble, I reserve the right to knock you unconscious and lock you in an abandoned building somewhere."Peter rolls his eyes. By Veronica Roth Peter David Fine Tobias Planning

Someone with many, strong mirror neurons could have a flexible personality - capable of mimicking others as the situation calls for it rather than remaining constant. By Veronica Roth Strong Personality Capable Constant Mirror

I am not an idiot," I say. "Which is why I know that it's a little weird that, of all the girls you could have chosen, you chose me. So if you're just looking for ... um, you know ... that ... " "What? Sex?" He scowls at me. By Veronica Roth Idiot Chosen Sex Weird Girls

They respond to movement only, so ... don't fall off the ladder," I say. "Whoever goes first will secure the ladder on the other side."I notice that Marcus, who is supposed to selflessly offer himself up for every task, does not volunteer."Not feeling very Stiff today, Marcus?" says Christina."If I were you, I would be careful who you insult," he says. "I am still the only person here who can find what we're looking for.""Is that a threat?""I'll go," I say, before Marcus can answer. "I'm part Stiff too, right? By Veronica Roth Marcus Stiff Respond Movement Ladder

You know I'm getting a little tired of waiting for you to catch on. By Veronica Roth Tired Waiting Catch

The division is based on knowledge, based on qualifications - but as I learned from the factionless, a system that relies on a group of uneducated people to do its dirty work without giving them a way to rise is hardly fair. By Veronica Roth Based Knowledge Qualifications Factionless Fair

I get into bed and pretend to be asleep. I don't need any of them, not if they're going to react this way when I do well. If I can make it through initiation, I will be Dauntless, and I won't have to see them anymore.I don't need them - but do I want them? Every tattoo I got with them is a mark of their friendship, and almost every time I have laughed in this dark place was because of them. I don't want to lose them. But I feel like I have already.After at least a half hour of racing thoughts, I roll onto my back and open my eyes. The dormitory is dark now - everyone has gone to bed. Probably exhausted from resenting me so much, I think with a wry smile. By Veronica Roth Asleep Pretend Bed Dark Dauntless

It must be because you're so approachable,' I say flatly. 'You know. Like a bed of nails.'He stares at me, and I don't look away. He isn't a dog but the same rules apply. Looking away is submissive. Looking him in the eye is a challenge. It's my choice.Heat rushes into my cheeks. What will happen when this tension breaks?But he just says, 'Careful, Tris. By Veronica Roth Approachable Flatly Careful Tris Nails

I am not Tobias Eaton, not anymore, never again. I am Dauntless. By Veronica Roth Eaton Tobias Anymore Dauntless

THE SERUM WEARS off five hours later, when the sun is just beginning to set. Tobias shut me in my room for the rest of the day, checking on me every hour. This time when he comes in, I am sitting on the bed, glaring at the wall. "Thank God," he says, pressing his forehead to the door. "I was beginning to think it would never wear off and I would have to leave you here to ... smell flowers, or whatever you wanted to do while you were on that stuff. By Veronica Roth Serum Set Sun Beginning Hours

I open my eyes and for the first time stare openly at my own reflection. My heart rate picks up as I do, like I am breaking the rules and will be scolded for it. It will be difficult to break the habits of thinking Abnegation instilled in me, like tugging a single thread from a complex work of embroidery. But I will find new habits, new thoughts, new rules. I will become something else. ... Looking at myself now isn't like seeing myself for the first time; it's like seeing someone else for the first time. Beatrice was a girl I saw in stolen moments at the mirror, who kept quiet at the dinner table. This is someone whose eyes claim mine and don't release me; this is Tris. By Veronica Roth Time Reflection Open Stare Openly

I was angry with him before. I'm not really sure why. Maybe I was just angry that the world had become such a complicated place, that I have never known even a fraction of the truth about it. Or that I allowed myself to grieve for someone who was never really gone, the same way I grieved for my mother all the years I thought she was dead. Tricking someone into grief is one of the cruelest tricks a person can play, and it's been played on me twice. By Veronica Roth Angry Place Dead World Complicated

Fair warning: You might get stared at," Zoe says as we walk through the security scanner. There are more people in the hallways up ahead now than there were earlier--it must be time for them to start work. "Your face is a familiar one here. People in the Bureau watch the screens often, and for the past few months, you've been involved in a lot of interesting things. A lot of the younger people think you're downright heroic.""Oh, good," I say, a sour taste in my mouth. "Heroism is what I was focused on. Not, you know, trying not to die."Zoe stops. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make light of what you've been through. By Veronica Roth Zoe Fair Warning Scanner People

Oh, good," I say, a sour taste in my mouth. "Heroism is what I was focused on. Not, you know, trying not to die. By Veronica Roth Good Mouth Heroism Sour Taste

So, the thing we're all not talking about," he says. He gestures to me. "You almost died, a sadistic pansycake saved you, and now we're all waging some serious war with the factionless as allies.""Pansycake?" says Christina."Dauntless slang." Lynn smirks. "Supposed to be a huge insult, only no one uses it anymore.""Because it's so offensive," says Uriah, nodding."No. Because it's so stupid no Dauntless with any sense would speak it, let alone think it. Pansycake. What are you, twelve?""And a half," he says. By Veronica Roth Pansycake Dauntless Thing Talking Christina

When i get home, I sit on the front step and take deep breaths of the cool spring air for a few minutes.My mother was the one who taught me to steal moments like those, moments of freedom, though she didn't now it. I watched her ... But I learned something else from watching her too, which is that the free moments always have to end. By Veronica Roth Home Freedom Moments Sit Front

Hayes. Peter Hayes. By Veronica Roth Hayes Peter

Mockery is childish. It does not become you. By Veronica Roth Mockery Childish

Tobias presses into the wall behind me, so close to me that his chin floats over my head and I can feel his chest against my shoulders. Shielding me. By Veronica Roth Tobias Shoulders Presses Wall Close

You won," Four mutters. "Stop." I wipe the sweat from my forehead. He stares at me. His eyes are too wide; they look alarmed. By Veronica Roth Stop Won Mutters Forehead Wide

I pull my foot back again, but Four's hands clamp around my arms, and he pulls me away from her with irresistible force. I breathe through gritted teeth, staring at Molly's blood-covered face, the color deep and rich and beautiful, in a way. She groans, and I hear a gurgling in her throat, watch blood trickle from her lips. "You won," Four mutters. "Stop." I wipe the sweat from my forehead. He stares at me. His eyes too wide; they look alarmed. "I think you should leave," he says. "Take a walk." I'm fine," I say. "I'm fine now," I say again, this time for myself.I wish I could say I felt guilty for what I did.I don't. By Veronica Roth Pull Pulls Arms Force Foot

I READ SOMEWHERE, once, that crying defies scientific explanation. Tears are only meant to lubricate the eyes. There is no real reason for tear glands to overproduce tears at the behest of emotion. I think we cry to release the animal parts of us without losing our humanity. Because inside me is a beast that snarls, and growls, and strains toward freedom, toward Tobias, and, above all, toward life. And as hard as I try, I cannot kill it. So I sob into my hands instead. By Veronica Roth Read Explanation Crying Defies Scientific

Every faction conditions its members to think and act a certain way. And most people do it. For most people, it's not hard to learn, to find a pattern of thought that works and stay that way. But our minds move in a dozen different directions. We can't be confined to one way of thinking, and that terrifies our leaders. It means we can't be controlled. And it means that no matter what they do, we will always cause trouble for them. By Veronica Roth Faction Conditions Members Act People

When do you have to get back?" I say, nudging him with my elbow.I bite into the sandwich Caleb got me from the cafeteria line. I am nervous to have him here, mixing the sad remains of my family life with the sad remains of my Dauntless life. What will he think of my friends, my faction? What will my faction think of him?"Soon," he says. "I don't want anyone to worry.""I didn't realize Susan had changed her name to 'Anyone,'" I say, raising an eyebrow."Ha-ha," he says, making a face at me. By Veronica Roth Back Sad Remains Caleb Faction

Don't tell me you're going to eat a mashed-potato sandwich By Veronica Roth Sandwich Eat Mashedpotato

A son says to his Mother: "Mother, today I fought with my friend."His Mother says: "Why did you fight with your friend?""Because he demanded something of me, and I would not give it to him.""Why did you not give it to him?""Because it was mine.""My son, you now have possessions, but you do not have your friend. Which would you rather have?""My friend.""Then give freely, trusting that you will also be given what you need. By Veronica Roth Mother Friend Give Friend Son

Do the elevators work?" I ask Uriah, as quietly as I can. "Sure they do." says Zeke, rolling his eyes, "You think I'm stupid enough not to come here early and turn on the emergency generator?" "Yeah," says Uriah. "I kinda do. By Veronica Roth Uriah Work Elevators Yeah Zeke

Old me? There is no way to know. All I can do is decide if i trust Marcus or not. And while he has done cruel, evil things, our society is not divided into "good" and "bad". Cruelty does not make a person dishonest, the same way bravery does not make a person kind. Marcus is not good or bad, but both. Well, he is probably more bad than good ... By Veronica Roth Good Bad Marcus Make Person

I stand there for just a few seconds before people realize that I'm there. Their conversation peters out. I wipe my palms off on the hem of my shirt. Too many eyes, and too much silence.Evelyn clears her throat. "Everyone, this is Tris Prior. I believe you may have heard a lot about her yesterday.""And Christina, Uriah, and Lynn," supplies Tobias. I'm grateful for his attempt to divert everyone's attention from me, but it doesn't work.I stand glued to the door frame for a few seconds, and then one of the factionless men--older, his wrinkled skin patterned with tattoos--speaks up."Aren't you supposed to be dead?"Some of the others laugh, and I try a smile. It emerges crooked and small."Supposed to be," I say."We don't like to give Jeanine Matthews what she wants, though," Tobias says. By Veronica Roth People Realize Tobias Supposed Stand

I'm not sure when, or if, anything will ever get better, not sure if these wounds are the kind that can heal. By Veronica Roth Heal Wounds Kind

Suicide to them is an act of selfishness. Someone who is truly selfless does not think of himself often enough to desire death. By Veronica Roth Suicide Selfishness Act Death Selfless

Change, like healing, takes time. By Veronica Roth Change Healing Time

Change, like healing, takes time. Evelyn By Veronica Roth Change Evelyn Healing Time

Let's just hug already," he says.Keeping one hand firm on Caleb's arm, I wrapped my free arm around Zeke, and he does the same.When we break apart, I pull Caleb down the alley, and can't resist calling back, "I'll miss you.""You too, sweetie!"He grins, and his teeth are white in the twilight. They are the last thing I see of him before I have to turn and set out at a trot for the train. By Veronica Roth Caleb Zeke Arm Sweetie Alley

The tiles in the Merciless Mart are always black and white, and here they are in a checkered pattern. If I unfocus my eyes, I see exactly what the Candor don't believe in - gray. By Veronica Roth Merciless Mart White Pattern Tiles

I open the door to the fear landscape room and flip open the small black box that was in my back pocket to see the syringes inside. This is the box I have always used, padded around the needles; it is a sign of something sick inside me, or something brave. By Veronica Roth Open Box Inside Door Fear

He told me once to be brave, and though I have stood still while knives spun toward my face and jumped off a roof, I never thought I would need bravery in the small moments of my life. I do. By Veronica Roth Brave Roof Life Told Stood

My family would never approve of me firing a gun. They would say that guns are used for self-defense, if not violence, and therefore they are self-serving. By Veronica Roth Family Approve Firing Selfdefense Violence

There are so many ways to be brave in this world. Sometimes bravery involves laying down your life for something bigger than yourself, or for someone else. Sometimes it involves giving up everything you have ever known, or everyone you have ever loved, for the sake of something greater.But sometimes it doesn't.Sometimes it is nothing more than gritting your teeth through pain, and the work of every day, the slow walk toward a better life. That is the sort of bravery I must have now. By Veronica Roth World Brave Involves Life Bravery

Sometimes it is nothing more than gritting your teeth through pain, and the work of every day, the slow walk toward a better life. By Veronica Roth Pain Day Life Gritting Teeth

The bird sketch holds my attention. I never intended to get pierced or tattooed when I came here. I know that if I do, it will place another wedge between me and my family that I can never remove. And if my life here continues as it has been, it may soon be the least of the wedges between us.But I understand now what Tori said about her tattoo representing a fear she overcame - a reminder of where she was, as well as a reminder of where she is now. Maybe there is a way to honor my old life as I embrace my new one. By Veronica Roth Attention Bird Sketch Holds Reminder

I prefer to look at it another way-which is that if they are persistent enough, even tiny drops of water, over time, can change the rock forever. And it will never change back. By Veronica Roth Water Time Forever Change Prefer

What the hell is going on?" I demand, craning my neck to look at Jeanine. "We agreed-cooperation in exchange for results! We agreed--""This is entirely separate from our agreement," says Jeanine, glancing at her watch. "This is not about you, Beatrice."The door opens again.Tobias walks in--limps in--flanked by Dauntless traitors. His face is bruised and there's a cut above his eyebrow. He does not move with his usual care; he's holding himself perfectly straight. He must be injured. I try not to think about how he got that way."What is this?" he says, his voice rough and creaky.From screaming, probably.My throat feels swollen."Tris," he says, and he lurches toward me, but the Dauntless traitors are too quick. They grab him before he can move more than a few steps. "Tris, are you okay?""Yeah," I say. "Are you?"He nods. I don't believe him. By Veronica Roth Jeanine Tris Hell Dauntless Traitors

When he starts to fall asleep, he keeps his arms around me fiercely, a life-preserving prison. But I wait, kept awake by the thought of bodies hitting pavement, until his grip loosens and his breathing steadies.I will not let Tobias go to Erudite when it happens again, when someone else dies. I will not.I slip out of his arms. I shrug on one of his sweatshirts so I can carry the smell of him with me. I slip my feet into my shoes. I don't take any weapons or keepsakes.I pause by the doorway and look at him, half buried under the quilt, peaceful and strong."I love you," I say quietly, trying out the words. I let the door close behind me.It's time to put everything in order. By Veronica Roth Asleep Fiercely Prison Arms Starts

I am glad I sleep fully clothed, because Christina stands next to our bunk wearing only a T-shirt, her long legs bare. She folds her arms and stares at Eric. I wish, suddenly, that I could stare so boldly at someone with hardly any clothes on, but I could never do that. By Veronica Roth Tshirt Christina Clothed Bare Glad

I'm not abnegation, I'm not dauntless, I am Divergent By Veronica Roth Divergent Abnegation Dauntless

Can you tell me where to find Tobias'? I ask. When I imagine his face, affection for him bubbles up inside of me and all I want to do is kiss him. 'Four, I mean. He's so handsome, isn't he? I don't really understand why he likes me so much. I'm not very nice, am I?'-Tris By Veronica Roth Tobias Find Tris Face Affection

Yeah, well," I say, "I left Abnegation because I wasn't selfless enough, no matter how hard I tried to be.""That's not entirely true." He smiles at me. "That girl who let someone throw knives at her to spare a friend, who hit my dad with a belt to protect me-that selfless girl, that's not you?" ... "You've been paying close attention, haven't you?""I like to observe people/""Maybe you were cut out for Candor, Four, because you're a terrible liar. By Veronica Roth Abnegation Yeah True Left Matter

Don't pretend", I say Breathily. "You know I'm not. I'm not ugly, but I am certainly not pretty." "Fine. You're not pretty. So?" He kisses my cheek. "I like how you look. You're deadly smart. You're brave. By Veronica Roth Breathily Pretend Pretty Fine Ugly

Cara communicates only through a series of grunts, inching her way, limb by limb, toward coffee. By Veronica Roth Cara Grunts Inching Coffee Limb

He grins and presses his mouth to mine. I tense up at first, unsure of myself, so when he pulls away, I'm sure I did something wrong, or badly. But he takes my face in his hands, his fingers strong against my skin, and kisses me again, firmer this time, more certain. I wrap an arm around him, sliding my hand up his neck and into his short hair. For a few minutes we kiss, deep in the chasm, with the roar of water all around us. By Veronica Roth Mine Grins Presses Mouth Unsure

For a second his dark eyes are on mine, and he's quiet. Then he touches my face and leans in close, brushing my lips with his. The river roars and I feel its spray on my ankles. He grins and presses his mouth to mine. I tense up at first, unsure of myself, so when he pulls away, I'm sure I did something wrong, or badly. But he takes my face in his hands, his fingers strong against my skin, and kisses me again, firmer this time, more certain. I wrap an arm around him, sliding my hand up his neck and into his short hair. By Veronica Roth Quiet Mine Dark Eyes Face

I know that I am birdlike, made narrow and small as if for taking flight, built straight-waisted and fragile. But when he touches me like he can't bear to take his hand away, I don't wish I was any different. By Veronica Roth Birdlike Made Flight Built Fragile

I don't know why I walk through the doors. Maybe I decide that we've come this far, we might as well see what's going on. But I suspect it's more that I know what's true and what's not. I am Divergent, so I am not nobody, there's no such thing as "safe," and I have other things on my mind than playing house with Tobias. And so, apparently, does he. By Veronica Roth Doors Walk Divergent Tobias Decide

I laugh, mirthless, a mad laugh. I savor the scowl on her face, the hate in her eyes. She was like a machine; she was cold and emotionless, bound by logic alone. And I broke her. By Veronica Roth Laugh Mirthless Mad Face Eyes

Sometimes I feel like we are the same, but sometimes, like right now, I feel the separation between our personalities like I've just run into a wall. By Veronica Roth Feel Wall Separation Personalities Run

For me, it feels like driving from truth into a lie, from adulthood to childhoold. I watch the land of pavement and glass and metal turn into an empty field. The snow is falling softly now, and I can faintly see the city's skyline up ahead, the buildings just a shade darker than the clouds. By Veronica Roth Lie Childhoold Feels Driving Truth

I can't imagine living the way he does - always keeping track of who gave me what and what I should give them in return, incapable of love or loyalty or forgiveness, a one-eyed man with a knife in hand, looking for someone else's eye to poke out. That isn't life. It's some paler version of life. I wonder where he learned it from. By Veronica Roth Return Incapable Forgiveness Hand Life

We're sorry for frightening you, Tris,' another voice says, 'but anonymity is integral to our operation. We mean you no harm.''Let go of me then!' I say, almost growling. All the hands holding me on the wall fall away.'Who are you?' I demand.'We are the Alliegiant,' the voice replies. 'And we are many, yet we are no one ... 'I can't help it: I laugh. By Veronica Roth Tris Operation Frightening Anonymity Integral

Simulation Tobias kisses my neck.I try to think. I have to face the fear. I have to take control of the situation and find a way to make it less frightening.I look Simulation Tobias in the eye and say sternly, "I am not going to sleep with you in a hallucination. Okay?"Then I grab him by his shoulders and turn us around, pushing him against thebedpost. I feel something other than fear - a prickle in my stomach, a bubble of laughter. I press against him and kiss him, my hands wrapping around his arms. He feels strong. He feels ... good.And he's gone.I laugh into my hand until my face gets hot. I must be the only initiate with this fear. By Veronica Roth Tobias Simulation Fear Kisses Necki

You think giving you a hug would give away too much?" he says."You know," I say. "I really don't care."I stand on my tiptoes and press my lips to his.It is the best moment of my life. By Veronica Roth Says Giving Hug Give Care

I fit my mouth to his and he tastes like water and smells like fresh air. I drag my hand from his neck to the small of his back and put it under his shirt. He kisses me harder. By Veronica Roth Air Fit Mouth Tastes Water

I push open the door just as Tobias, who is sitting on the floor with one leg stretched out, hurls a butter knife at the opposite wall. It sticks, handle out, from a large hunk of cheese they positioned on top of the dresser. Caleb, standing beside him, stares in disbelief, first at the cheese and then at me."Tell me he's some kind of Dauntless prodigy," says Caleb. "Can you do this too?""With my right hand, maybe," I say. "But yes, Four is some kind of Dauntless prodigy. Tobias's eyes catch mine on the word "Four." Caleb doesn't know that Tobias wears his excellence all the time in his own nickname. By Veronica Roth Dauntless Tobias Hurls Wall Caleb

I keep finding myself stifled by the company of others and then crippled by loneliness when I leave them. I am terrified and I don't even know of what, because I have lost everything already. By Veronica Roth Finding Stifled Company Crippled Loneliness

Why is your heart racing Tris? By Veronica Roth Tris Heart Racing

He wraps his arms around me and holds me tight for a few seconds. Hisbreaths tickle my ear, and I close my eyes, letting myself finally relax. Hesmells like wind and sweat and soap, like Tobias and like safety. By Veronica Roth Wraps Arms Holds Tight Tobias

Okay, okay." I set my hand on top of his and guide it to my chest, so it's right over my heart. "Feel my heartbeat. Can you feel it?""Yes.""Feel how steady it is?""It's fast.""Yes, well, that has nothing to do with the box." I wince as soon as I'm donespeaking. I just admitted to something. Hopefully he doesn't realize that. By Veronica Roth Feel Yes Chest Heart Set

Dauntless,' he says. 'I was born for Abnegation. I was planning on leaving Dauntless, and becoming factionless. But then I met her, and ... I felt like maybe I could make something more of my decision.' Her. For a moment, it's like I'm looking at a different person, sitting in Tobias's skin, one whose life is not as simple as I thought. He wanted to leave Dauntless, but he stayed because of me. He never told me that. By Veronica Roth Dauntless Abnegation Tobias Born Factionless

You're not very nice," I say, grinning."You're one to talk.""Hey, I could be nice if I tried.""Hmm." He taps his chin. "Say something nice, then.""You're very good-looking."He smiles, his teeth a flash in this dark. "I like this 'nice' thing. By Veronica Roth Hey Hmm Grinning Nice Talk

If they told us what to believe, and we didn't come to it on our own, is it still true? By Veronica Roth True Told

Most of the time I can tell when people are lying, and this must be a lie, because Tris is still alive, her eyes bright and her cheeks flushed and her small body full of power and strenght, standing in a shaft of light in the atrium.Tris is still alive, she wouldn't leave me here alone, she wouldn't go to the Weapons Lab instead of Caleb. By Veronica Roth Alive Caleb Tris Weapons Lab

Before I leave the bathroom, I pinch my cheeks hard to bring blood to the surface of my skin. It's stupid, but I don't want to look weak and exhausted in front of everyone.When I walk back into Tobias's room, Uriah is sprawled across the bed facedown; Christina is holding the blue sculpture above Tobias's desk, examining it; and Lynn is poised above Uriah with a pillow, a wicked grin creeping across her face.Lynn smacks Uriah hard in the back of the head, Christina says, "Hey Tris!" and Uriah cries, "Ow! How on earth do you make a pillow hurt, Lynn?""My exceptional strength," she says. "Did you get smacked, Tris? One of your cheeks is bright red."I must not have pinched the other one hard enough. "No, it's just ... my morning glow. By Veronica Roth Uriah Christina Tobias Tris Hard

We've all started to put down the virtues of the other factions in the process of bolstering our own. I don't want to do that. I want to be brave, and selfless, and smart, and kind, and honest." He clears his throat. "I continually struggle with kindness. By Veronica Roth Started Put Virtues Factions Process

I confessed to Tobias, soon after that, that I had lost my entire family.And he assured me that he was my family now. -Tris Prior By Veronica Roth Tobias Confessed Lost Entire Familyand

I find my anger ebbing away, and I'm lost in muffled grief again, this time not just for Tris, but for Uriah, whose smile is burned into my memory. My friend's brother, and then my friend, too, though not for long enough to let his humor work its way into me, not for long enough. By Veronica Roth Tris Uriah Memory Long Find

Behind her, the door to the stairwell opens, and Tobias steps out with Marcus and Caleb behind him, almost unnoticed.Almost, except I notice him, because I have trained myself to notice him. By Veronica Roth Notice Tobias Marcus Caleb Opens

I just wanted to thank you' he says, his voice low.'A group of scientists told you that my genes were damaged, that there was something wrong with me - they showed you the test results that proved it. And even I started to believe it.' He touches my face, his thumb skimming my cheekbone, and his eyes are on mine, intense and insistent.'You never believed it,' he says 'Not for a second. You always insisted I was ... I don't know, whole. By Veronica Roth Low Damaged Wanted Voice Group

He slides his hand over my cheek, one finger anchored behind my ear. Then he tilts his head down and kisses me, sending a warm ache through my body. I wrap my hands around his arm, holding him there as long as I can. When he touches me, the hollowed-out feeling in my chest and stomach is not as noticeable. By Veronica Roth Cheek Ear Slides Finger Anchored

Chaos and destruction do tend to take away a person's dating possibilities. By Veronica Roth Chaos Possibilities Destruction Tend Person

Come on,'he says.' I have something else to show you. By Veronica Roth Show

You nearly died today,' he says. 'I almost shot you. Why didn't you shoot me, Tris?''I couldn't do that,' I say. 'It would have been like shooting myself.'He looks pained and leans closer to me, so his lips brush mine when he speaks. By Veronica Roth Today Died Tris Shot Myself

You don't have to tell me everything right away, but I have to tell you everything right away? Can't you see how stupid that is? By Veronica Roth Stupid

I feel like myself, strong and weak at once - allowed, at least for a little while, to be both. By Veronica Roth Allowed Strong Feel Weak

Tris," Tobias says, crouching next to me. His face is pale, almost yellow.There is too much I want to say. The first thing that comes out is, "Beatrice."He laughs weakly."Beatrice," he amends, and touches his lips to mine. I curl my fingers into his shirt. By Veronica Roth Tobias Tris Crouching Beatrice Beatrice

Maybe time would not feel as heavy if I didn't have this guilt - the guilt of knowing the truth and stuffing it down where no one can see it. By Veronica Roth Guilt Time Feel Heavy Knowing

Dead people can be our heroes because they cant disappoint us later; they only improve over time, as we forget more and more about them. By Veronica Roth Dead Time People Heroes Disappoint

Are you asking me to undress, Tris?'A nervous laugh gurgles from my throat. 'Only ... partially By Veronica Roth Tris Partially Undress Throat Nervous

Your daughter is doing well here. I've been overseeing her training."Since when does "overseeing" include throwing knives at me and scolding me at every opportunity? By Veronica Roth Daughter Overseeing Training Include Opportunity

Morning," I say."Shh," she says. "If you don't acknowledge it, maybe it will go away. By Veronica Roth Shh Morning Say Acknowledge

He holds my face in both hands and kisses me back. I press into the distance between us until it is gone, crushing the secrets we have kept and the suspicions we have harbored-for good, I hope. By Veronica Roth Back Holds Face Hands Kisses

I could have forgiven you, you know, " I say. "For trying to kill me during initiation. I probably could have." We are both quiet for a while. I don't know why I told him that. Maybe just because it's true, and tonight, of all nights, is the time for honesty. Tonight I will be honest, and selfless, and brave. Divergent."I never asked you to, he says, and turns to leave. But then he stops at the door frame and says, "It's 9:24. By Veronica Roth Forgiven Tonight Initiation Kill Divergent

You think my first instinct is to protect you. Because you're small, or a girl, or a Stiff. But you're wrong."He leans his face close to mine and wraps his fingers around my chin. His hand smells like metal. When was the last time he held a gun, or a knife? My skin tingles at the point of contact, like he's transmitting electricity through his skin. "My first instinct is to push you until you break, just to see how hard I have to press." he says, his fingers squeezing at the word break. My body tenses at the edge in his voice, so I am coiled as tight as a spring, and I forget to breathe.His dark eyes lifting to mine, he adds, "But I resist it." "Why ... " I swallow hard. "Why is that your first instinct?""Fear doesn't shut you down; it wakes you up. I've seen it. It's fascinating." He releases me but doesn't pull away, his hand grazing my jaw, my neck. "Sometimes I just want to see it again. Want to see you awake. By Veronica Roth Instinct Protect Stiff Fingers Break

He is stronger than anyone I know, & warmer than anyone else realizes; he is a secret that I have kept, & will keep, for the rest of my life. By Veronica Roth Warmer Realizes Life Stronger Secret

My problem might be that even if I did go home, I wouldn't belong there, among people who give without thinking and care without trying. By Veronica Roth Home Problem Belong People Give

I do like to hit people-I like the explosion of power and energy, and the feeling that I am untouchable because I can hurt people. But I hate that part of myself, because it is the part of me that is the most broken By Veronica Roth Energy People Hit Peoplei Explosion

He pushes his hair, soaked from the snow, out of his eyes. "So what are we going to do, break a window? Look for a back door?" "I'm just going to walk in," I say. "I'm her son." "You also betrayed her and left the city when she forbade anyone from doing that," he says, "and she sent people after you to stop you. People with guns." "You can stay here if you want," I say. "Where the serum goes, I go," he says. "But if you get shot at, I'm going to grab it and run.""I don't expect anything more."He is a strange sort of person. By Veronica Roth Hair Soaked Snow Eyes Pushes

I imagine the wave of water colliding with the rock and spilling over the tile floor, collecting around my shoes. Doing a little at once can fix something, eventually, but I feel like when you believe that something is truly a problem, you throw everything you have at it, because you just can't help yourself. By Veronica Roth Floor Collecting Shoes Imagine Wave

Read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information By Veronica Roth Read Onscreen Transmitted Downloaded Decompiled

That night we push our cots just a little closer together, and look into each other's eyes in the moments before we fall asleep. When he finally drifts off, our fingers are twisted together in the space between the beds.I smile a little, and let myself go. By Veronica Roth Asleep Night Push Cots Closer

His hand touches my waist, steadies me. The touch sends a shock through my body, and all my insides burn like his fingers ignited them. I pull close to him, pressing my body against his, and lift my head to kiss him. By Veronica Roth Waist Steadies Hand Touches Body

Yes," Marcus says. "I understand that you are concerned that you all are concerned. You had never heard of the Divergent a week ago, and now all that you know is that they are immune to something to which you are susceptible, and that is a frightening thing. But I can assure you that there is nothing to be afraid of, as far as we are concerned."As he speaks, his head tilts and his eyebrows lift in sympathy, and I understand at once why some people like him. He makes you feel that if you just placed everything in his hands, he would take care of it. By Veronica Roth Marcus Concerned Understand Divergent Ago

So you're her brother?" says Lynn. "I guess we know who got the good genes."I laugh at the expression on Caleb's face, his mouth drawn into a slight pucker and his eyes wide. By Veronica Roth Lynn Brother Caleb Genes Face

Fighting for survival in a shattered world ... the truth is her only hope. By Veronica Roth Fighting World Survival Shattered Hope

Can you be a girl for a few seconds?" "I'm always a girl" I frown. "You know what I mean. Like a silly, annoying girl" I twirl my hair around my finger. "Kay. By Veronica Roth Girl Kay Frown Silly Annoying

I have never been carried around by a large boy, or laughed until my stomach hurt at the dinner table, or listened to the clamor of a hundred people all talking at once. Peace is restrained; this is free. By Veronica Roth Boy Table Carried Large Laughed

Decades ago, our ancestors realized that it is not just political ideology, religious belief, race, or nationalism that is to blame for a warring world. Rather, they determined that it was the fault of human personality - of humankind's inclination towards evil, in whatever form that is. They divided into factions that sought to eradicate those qualities they believed responsible for the world's disarray. By Veronica Roth Race Decades Ago Ideology Religious

You want to see people as extremes. Bad or good, trustworthy or not. I understand. It's easier that way. But that isn't how people work. By Veronica Roth Extremes People Bad Good Trustworthy

Ease us?" Tori demands. She pushes herself to her feet and limps toward Evelyn, who calmly takes her gun in hand and points it at Tori."I have not been starving for more than a decade just to give in to a Dauntless woman with a leg injury," Evelyn says. "So unless you want me to shoot you, take a seat with your fellow ex-faction members. By Veronica Roth Ease Evelyn Tori Dauntless Tori

The Candor man wears a black suit with a white tie - Candor standard uniform. Their faction values honesty and sees the truth as black and white, so that is what they wear. By Veronica Roth Candor Tie Uniform Black White

Eric called Al's suicide brave, and he was wrong. My mother's death was brave. I remember how calm she was, how determined. It isn't just brave that she died for me; it is brave that she did it without announcing it, without hesitation, and without appearing to consider another option. By Veronica Roth Brave Eric Wrong Called Suicide

I didn't care about Suzao - in fact, I was planning to spit on his funeral pyre just to hear it sizzle - but By Veronica Roth Suzao Fact Sizzle Care Planning

He'd rather have anyone but you. He's not going to give you more than an inch in any direction. So good luck with your short leash. By Veronica Roth Direction Leash Give Inch Good

In my own relationships, I know that I should break up with someone who doesn't encourage me to be strong and make my own choices and do what's best in my life, so if you're dating someone who doesn't want you to be the best person you can be, you shouldn't be dating them. By Veronica Roth Dating Relationships Life Break Encourage

She kisses my cheek and slides the panel over the mirror. I think my mother could be beautiful, in a different world. Her body is thin beneath the gray robe. She has high cheekbones and long eyelashes, and when she lets her hair down at night, it hangs in waves over her shoulders. But she must hide that beauty in Abnegation. By Veronica Roth Mirror Kisses Cheek Slides Panel

My dear girl. I am his family. I am permanent. You are only temporary. By Veronica Roth Girl Dear Family Permanent Temporary

What has become clear is that lies are just a temporary solution to a permanent problem. Lying to spare a person's feelings, even when the truth would help them to improve, damages them in the long run. By Veronica Roth Problem Clear Lies Temporary Solution

What book(s) changed your life and why? I could probably list books for days, so I'll just list a few favorites: The Giver by Lois Lowry, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, the Animorphs series by K.A. Applegate, 1984 by George Orwell, the Bible, Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, and Juliet by Andras Visky (which is a play, but I think it still counts). By Veronica Roth Changed Life Applegate List Lowry

That said, in the two weeks before I leave for the Dark Days tour, I am going radio silent, which means I will be avoiding the Internet at all costs in order to revise, revise, revise. I will miss you. Tris says hi, though. By Veronica Roth Revise Dark Days Internet Tour

I have something I need to tell you," he says. I run my fingers along the tendons in his hands and look back at him. "I might be in love with you." He smiles a little. "I'm waiting until I'm sure to tell you, though.""That's sensible of you," I say, smiling too. "We should find some paper so you can make a list or a chart or something."I feel his laughter against my side, his nose sliding along my jaw, his lips pressing my ear."Maybe I'm already sure," he says, "and I just don't want to frighten you."I laugh a little. "Then you should know better.""Fine," he says. "Then I love you. By Veronica Roth Love Fine Run Fingers Tendons

It's the beginning of the Allegiant rebellion I've been expecting since I first heard the group had formed. Even though it has seemed inevitable to me since I saw how Evelyn chose to rule, I feel sick. It seems like the rebellions never stop, in the city, in the compound, anywhere. There are just breaths between them, and foolishly, we call those breaths "peace." I By Veronica Roth Allegiant Formed Beginning Expecting Heard

He is a part of me, always will be, and I am a part of him, too. I don't belong to Abnegation, or Dauntless, or even the Divergent. I don't belong to the Bureau or the experiment or the firnge. I belong to the people I love, and they belong to me- they, and the love and loyalty I give them, form my identity far more than any word or group ever could. I love my brother. I love him, and he is quaking with terror at the though of death. I love him and all I can think, all I can hear in my mind, are the words I said to him a few days ago : I would never deliver you to your own execution By Veronica Roth Part Belong Love Abnegation Dauntless

I wait for a long time without anything changing. The room is still dark, the floor still cold and hard, my heart still beating faster than normal. I look down to check my watch and discover that it's on the wrong hand - I usually wear mine on my left, not my right, and my watchband isn't gray, it's black. Then I notice bristly hairs on my fingers that weren't there before. The calluses on my knuckles are gone. I look down, and I am wearing gray slacks and a gray shirt; I am thicker around the middle and thinner through the shoulders. I lift my eyes to a mirror that now stands in front of me. The face staring back at mine is Marcus's. By Veronica Roth Changing Gray Wait Long Time

But as I look at him, my anger ebbs away, like the changing of the tide. And standing in the place of my anger is my initiation instructor and friend, alive again.I grin."So you're alive," I say."More importantly," he says, pointing at me, "you are no longer upset about it."He grabs my arm and pulls me into an embrace, slapping my back with one hand. I try to return his enthusiasm, but it doesn't come naturallywhen we break apart, my face is hot. And judging by how he bursts into laughter, it's also bright red."Once a Stiff, always a Stiff," he says."Whatever," I say. By Veronica Roth Stiff Anger Tide Ebbs Changing

For God's sake, Stiff," he says. "You don't have to follow me," I say staring at the maze of bars above me. I shove my foot onto the place where two bars cross and push myself up, grabbing another bar in the process. I sway for a second, my heart beating so hard I can't feel anything else. Every thought I have condenses into that heartbeat, moving at the same rhythm. "Yes, I do," he says. By Veronica Roth Stiff God Sake Bars Follow

I feel the urge, familiar now, to wrench myself from my body and speak directly into her mind. It is the same urge, I realize, that makes me want to kiss her every time I see her, because even a sliver of distance between us is infuriating. Our fingers, loosely woven a moment ago, now clutch together, her palm tacky with moisture, mine rough in places where I have grabbed too many handles on too many moving trains. Now she looks pale and small, but her eyes make me think of wide-open skies that I have never actually seen, only dreamed of. By Veronica Roth Urge Familiar Mind Feel Wrench

My father has a way of persuading people without charm that has always confused me. He states his opinions as if they're facts, and somehow his complete lack of doubt makes you believe him. That quality frightens me now, because I know what he told me: that I was broken, that I was worthless, that I was nothing. How many of those things did he make me believe? By Veronica Roth Father Persuading People Charm Confused

Vas laughed. "Better listen to her, Kereseth. Those aren't little heart tattoos she hides under that arm guard. By Veronica Roth Kereseth Vas Laughed Guard Listen

The theory is that if you spill all your secrets, you'll have no desire to lie about anything, ever again. Like the worst about you is already in the open, so why not just be honest? By Veronica Roth Secrets Theory Spill Desire Lie

I started writing because I decided I was too old to play pretend in the backyard. Then I found that I could create those imaginary worlds on the page. By Veronica Roth Backyard Started Writing Decided Play

Joel Tippie, as well as Amy Ryan and Barb Fitzsimmons, for making these books so gorgeous Every. Single. Time. The amazing Brenna Franzitta, Josh Weiss, Mark Rifkin, Valerie Shea, Christine Cox, and Joan Giurdanella, for taking such good care of my words. Lauren Flower, Alison Lisnow, Sandee Roston, Diane Naughton, Colleen O'Connell, Aubry Parks-Fried, Margot Wood, Patty Rosati, Molly Thomas, Megan Sugrue, Onalee Smith, and Brett Rachlin, for all your marketing and publicity efforts, which are far too substantial to name. By Veronica Roth Tippie Fitzsimmons Amy Ryan Barb

Yes," she says, her eyes bright with tears. "My dear child, you've done so well. By Veronica Roth Tears Eyes Bright Child Dear

They'll care for each other, she says. That's what people do. I smile and close my eyes. By Veronica Roth Care Eyes People Smile Close

I don't want to be just one thing. I want to be brave and selfless and intelligent and honest and kind. By Veronica Roth Thing Kind Brave Selfless Intelligent

Yeah. Good." I clear my throat. "So, this plan. It's kind of stupid, right?""It's not ... stupid.""Oh, come on. Trusting Marcus is stupid. Trying to get past the Dauntless at the fence is stupid. Going against the Dauntless and factionless is stupid. All three combined is ... a different kind of stupid formerly unheard of by humankind.""Unfortunately it's also the best plan we have," she points out. "If we want everyone to know the truth. By Veronica Roth Stupid Yeah Dauntless Kind Plan

A husband should not discipline his wife, Johanna says. By Veronica Roth Johanna Wife Husband Discipline

Maybe there is some Abnegation in everyone, even if they don't know it. By Veronica Roth Abnegation

The cruelty of fate is that I must travel with the people I hate when the people I love are dead behind me. By Veronica Roth People Cruelty Fate Travel Hate

I don't know that she necessarily has the ability to lead others (or rather, to inspire others to follow her), but she certainly doesn't follow others, either. She leads herself, though. By Veronica Roth Follow Necessarily Ability Inspire Lead

When he touches me, I feel like everywhere his skin meets mine is changed by the connection. It sends a thrill through my stomach. Not just fear. Something else, too. A wanting. By Veronica Roth Connection Touches Feel Skin Meets

Standing alone at the railing is Four. Though he's not an initiate anymore, most of the Dauntless use this day to come together with their families. Either his family doesn't like to come together, or he wasn't originally a Dauntless. Which faction could he have come from? "There's one of my instructors." I lean closer to say. "He's kind of intimidating." "He's handsome," she says. I find myself nodding without thinking. She laughs and lifts her arm from my shoulders. I want to steer her away from him, but just as I'm about to suggest that we go somewhere else, he looks over his shoulder. His eyes widen at the sight of my mother. She offers him her hand. "Hello. My name is Natalie," she says. "I'm Beatrice's mother." I have never seen my mother shake hands with someone. Four eases his hand into hers, looking stiff, and shakes it twice. The gesture looks unnatural for both of them. No, Four was not originally Dauntless if he doesn't shake hands easily. By Veronica Roth Dauntless Standing Mother Railing Shake

His fingers slide into my hair, and I hold on to his arms to stay steady as we press together like two blades at a stalemate. He is stronger than anyone I know, and warmer than anyone else realizes; he is a secret that I have kept, and will keep for the rest of my life. By Veronica Roth Hair Stalemate Fingers Slide Hold

I guess I always knew there was something wrong with me, but I thought it was because of my father, or my mother, and the pain they bequeathed to me like a family heirloom, handed down from generation to generation.- Tobias Eaton By Veronica Roth Tobias Eaton Father Mother Heirloom

The night air slips into my lungs, and I feel like it is one of my first breaths. By Veronica Roth Lungs Breaths Night Air Slips

I don't know if you know this," Tobias says, "but Edward is a little unstable." "I'm getting that," I say."That Drew guy who helped Peter perform that butterknife maneuver," Tobias says. "Apparently when he got kicked out of Dauntless, he tried to join the same group of factionless Edward was a part of. Notice that you haven't seen Drew anywhere. By Veronica Roth Tobias Edward Unstable Drew Peter

The door opens. I don't lift my head or open my eyes. "Stiff." It's Peter. Of course."Yes." When I let my hand fall from my face, a lock of hair falls with it. I look at it from the corner of my eye. My hair has never been this greasy before.Peter sets a bottle of water next to the bed, and a sandwich. The thought of eating it nauseates me."You brain-dead?" he asks."Don't think so.""Don't be so sure.""Ha-ha," I say. "How long have I been asleep?""About a day. I'm supposed to escort you to the showers.""If you say something about how badly I need one," I say tiredly, "I will poke you in the eye. By Veronica Roth Door Eye Stiff Opens Open

The tunnel is lit at long intervals, so in the dark space between each dim lamp, I fear that I am lost until a shoulder bumps mine. In the circles of light I am safe again. By Veronica Roth Intervals Lamp Mine Tunnel Lit

But when I do feel all the strength go out of me, and I fall to my knees beside the table and I think I cry, then, or at least I want to, and everything inside me screams for just one more kiss, one more word, one more glance, one more. By Veronica Roth Cry Kiss Word Glance Feel

Trust me when I tell you, Eaton boy, that resisting is worth doing. By Veronica Roth Eaton Trust Boy Resisting Worth

Promise me," he whispers, "that you won't go. For me. Do this one thing for me." Could I do that? Could I stay here, fix things with him, let someone else die in my place? Looking up at him, I believe for a moment that I could. And then I see Will. The crease between his eyebrows. The empty, simulation-bound eyes. The slumped body. Do this one thing for me. Tobias's dark eyes plead with me. But if I don't go to Erudite, who will? Tobias? It's the kind of thing he would do. I feel a stab of pain in my chest as I lie to him. "Okay." "Promise," he says, frowning. The pain becomes an ache, spreads everywhere - all mixed together, guilt and terror and longing. "I promise. By Veronica Roth Thing Whispers Promise Tobias Eyes

Here, I've learned to defend myself,I've learned to be stronger,but one thing I haven't learned, won't let myself learn, is how to enjoy causing someone else pain. If I'm going to become Dauntless, I'm going to do it on my terms, even if that means that a part of me will always be a Stiff. By Veronica Roth Learned Defend Learn Pain Strongerbut

Should i even bother scanning the crowd for my parents? I could turn around and go back to the dormitory. Then I see her. My mother stands alone near the railing with her hands clasped in front of her. she has never looked more out of place, with her gray slacks and gray jacket buttoned at the throat, her hair in its simple twist and her face placid. I start toward her, tears jumping into my eyes. She came. She came for me. I walk faster. She sees me, and for a second her expression is blank, like she doesn't know who I am. Then her eyes light up, and she opens her arms. She smells like soap and laundry detergent. By Veronica Roth Parents Bother Scanning Crowd Gray

We believe that peace is hard-won,That sometimes it is necessary to fight for peace.But more than that, we believe thatJustice is more important than peace. By Veronica Roth Peace Fight Peacebut Thatjustice Important

It is more important for you to be safe than right, for the time being. Understand? ( ... ) But please, when you see an opportunity ... ruin them By Veronica Roth Understand Important Safe Time Opportunity

And everyone saw me. Tobias saw me.I hear footsteps. Tobias marches toward me and wrenches me to my feet."What the hell was that, Stiff?""I ... " My breath comes in a hiccup. "I didn't-""Get yourself together! This is pathetic."Something within me snaps. My tears stop. Heat races through my body, driving the weakness out of me, and I smack him so hard my knuckles burn with the impact. He stares at me, one side of his face bright with blush-blood, and I stare back."Shut up," I say. I yank my arm from his grasp and walk out of the room. By Veronica Roth Tobias Stiff Footsteps Shut Mei

Instead I just let the silence stretch out between us. It's the only adequate response to what he just told me, the only that does the tragedy any justice instead of patching it hastily and moving on. By Veronica Roth Silence Stretch Adequate Response Told

Pain can't make me tell you. Truth serum can't make me tell you. Simulations can't make me tell you. I'm immune to all three. By Veronica Roth Make Pain Truth Simulations Serum

By the time I'm able to pull the sack from my head, the corridor is silent. I look down at itit's a dark-blue pillowcase with the words "Faction before blood" painted on it.Whoever they are, they certainly have a flair for the dramatic.The place where you made your confession.There's only one place that could be: Candor headquarters, where I succumbed to the truth serum. By Veronica Roth Head Silent Time Pull Sack

It was him or me. I chose me. But I feel dead too. By Veronica Roth Chose Feel Dead

You go first," Four says. Eric shrug. "Edward." Four leans against the door frame and nods. The moonlight makes his eyes bright. He scans the group of transfer initiates briefly, without calculation and says, "I want the Stiff." ... Heat rushes into my cheeks and I don't know whether to be angry at the people laughing at me or flattered by the fact that he chose me first. "Got something to prove?" asks Eric, with his trademark smirk. "Or you just picking the weak ones, so that if you lose, you'll have someone to blame it on?" Four shrugs. "Something like that." Angry. I should be angry. I scowl at my hands. Whatever Four's strategy is, it's based on the idea that I am weaker than the other initiates. And it gives me a bitter taste in my mouth. i have to prove him wrong I have to. By Veronica Roth Angry Eric Edward Prove Initiates

This is what I chose. This is it." I look over Robert's shoulder. The Dauntless guards seem to have finished examining the truck. The bearded man gets back into the driver's seat and closes the door behind him. "Besides, Robert. The goal of my life isn't just ... to be happy." "Wouldn't it be easier if it was, though?" he says By Veronica Roth Chose Robert Dauntless Shoulder Truck

But then I stopped allowing myself to dream, because it was more painful to long for things and never get them than to deal with whatever was in front of me. [ ... ] I'm too old to hear confront nonsense anymore. Too old to believe that everything will be alright. By Veronica Roth Dream Stopped Allowing Painful Long

I have to find Tobias, but I'll come back after I do and sit with you, okay?"She finally looks at me, and her knee goes still. "They didn't tell you?"My stomach clenches with fear. "Tell me what.""Tobias was arrested," she says quietly. "I saw him siting with the invaders right before I came in here. Some people saw him at the control room before the attackthey say he was disabling the alarm system."There is a sad look in her eyes, like she pities me. But I already knew what Tobias did."Where are they?" I say.I need to talk to him. And I know what I need to say. By Veronica Roth Tobias Find Back Sit Finally

What is the point in providing food and shelter for an animal that just soils your furniture, makes your home smell bad, and ultimately dies? By Veronica Roth Furniture Makes Bad Dies Point

I wipe my face with my sleeve, laughing so hard my stomach hurts. If my entire life is like this, loud laughter and bold action and the kind of exhaustion you feel after a hard but satisfying day, I will be content. By Veronica Roth Sleeve Laughing Hurts Hard Wipe

Hearing him talk about his mother, about his intact family, makes my chest hurt for a second, like someone pierced it with a needle. By Veronica Roth Hearing Mother Family Makes Needle

He smells safe, too, like sunlit walks in the orchard and silent breakfastsin the dining hall. And in the moments before I drift off to sleep, I almost forget about our war-torn city and all the conflict that willcome to find us soon, if we don't find it first. By Veronica Roth Safe Hall Smells Sunlit Walks

Tris," a low voice says behind me. I don't know why it doesn't startle me. Maybe because I am becoming Dauntless, and mental readiness is something I'm supposed to develop. Maybe because his voice is low and smooth and almost soothing. Whatever the reason over my shoulder. Four stands behind me with his gun slung across his back, just like mine. "Yes?" I say. "I came to find out what you think you're doing." "I'm seeking higher ground," I say. "I don't think I'm doing anything." I see his smile in the dark. "All right. I'm coming." I pause a second. He doesn't look at me the way Will, Christina, and Al sometimes do- like I am too small and too weak to be any use, and they pity me for it. But if he insists on coming with me, it is probably because he doubts me. By Veronica Roth Tris Low Voice Dauntless Coming

Never in my life did I expect to hold a gun, let alone fire one. It feels dangerous to me, as if just by touching it, I could hurt someone. By Veronica Roth Gun Life Expect Hold Fire

Pity, I knew, was just disrespect wrapped in kindness. I had to address it early, or it would grow unwieldy in time. By Veronica Roth Pity Knew Kindness Disrespect Wrapped

I'm here to see Evelyn.""Sure," one of them says. "Because we just let anyone in who wants to see her.""I have a message from the people outside," I say. "One I'm sure she would like to hear.""Tobias?" a factionless woman says. I recognize her, but not from a factionless warehousefrom the Abnegation sector. She was my neighbor. Grace is her name."Hello, Grace," I say. "I just want to talk to my mom."She bites the inside of her cheek and considers me. Her grip on her pistol falters. "Well, we're still not supposed to let anyone in.""For God's sake," Peter says. "Go tell her we're here and see what she says, then! We can wait. By Veronica Roth Evelyn Grace Factionless Tobias Abnegation

The bullet clicks into the chamber. By Veronica Roth Chamber Bullet Clicks

Four flips the gun in this hand, presses the barrel to Peter's forehead, and clicks a bullet into place. Peter freezes with his lips parted, the yawn dead in his mouth. "Wake. Up," Four snaps. "You are holding a loaded gun, you idiot. Act like it. By Veronica Roth Peter Hand Presses Forehead Place

Do I look like I've been crying?' I say.'Hmm.' He leans in close, narrowing his eyes like he's inspecting my face. A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. Even closer, so we would be breathng the same air- if I could remember to breathe.'No, Tris,' he says. A more serious look replaces his smile as he adds, 'You look tough as nails. By Veronica Roth Crying Hmm Tris Smile Say

So far Tris was immune to the new version of the serum we created--it had no effect whatsoever. It's very strange that a person's genes would make them so resistant to mind manipulation of any kind.""Maybe it's not her genes," I say, shrugging. I switch feet. "Maybe it's some kind of superhuman stubbornness.""Oh, are we at the insult part of the breakup?" she says. "Because I got in a lot of practice after what happened with Will. I have several choice things to say about her nose.""We didn't break up." I grin. "But it's nice to know you have such warm feelings for my girlfriend.""I apologize, I don't know why I jumped to that conclusion." Cara's cheeks flush. "My feelings toward your girlfriend are mixed, yes, but for the most part I have a lot of respect for her.""I know. I was just kidding. It's nice to see you get flustered every once in a while."Cara glares at me."Besides," I say, "what's wrong with her nose? By Veronica Roth Tris Created Whatsoever Immune Version

It smells green, the way a leaf does when you tear it in half. By Veronica Roth Green Half Smells Leaf Tear

You could just do the work, you know,' I say. 'You could make better decisions, make a better life.''Yeah, I could,' he says. 'But I won't. We both know that.'I do know that. I know that change is difficult, and comes slowly, and that it is the work of many days strung together in a long line until the origin of them is forgotten. He is afraid that he will not be able to put in that work, that he will squander those days, and that they will leave him worse off than he is now. And I understand that feeling - I understand being afraid of yourself. By Veronica Roth Work Yeah Make Days Understand

I'm not important. Everyone will do just fine without me," I say."Who cares about everyone? What about me? By Veronica Roth Important Say Fine Cares

Some days I feel like I'm still not okay. Some days I feel fine. Happy, even. By Veronica Roth Days Feel Happy Fine

In the midst of meeting new people and making plans, I forgot that my plan is to walk straight into a battle that could claim my life. Right after I realized that my life was worth living. By Veronica Roth Life Midst Meeting People Making

Tris: Wait. So you have no idea what my aptitude is?Tori: Yes and No. My conclusion is that you display equal aptitude for Abnegation, Dauntless and Erudite. People who get this kind of result are..are called ... Divergent. By Veronica Roth Wait Tris Tori Abnegation Dauntless

don't belong to Abnegation, or Dauntless, or even the Divergent. I don't belong to the Bureau or the experiment or the fringe. I belong to the people I love, and they belong to me - they, and the love and loyalty I give them, form my identity far more than any word or group ever could. I By Veronica Roth Belong Abnegation Dauntless Divergent Bureau

I don't have an answer to that, and I don't even know if he's right about me. Am I wired like the Abnegation, or the Dauntless? Maybe the answer is neither. Maybe I am wired like the Divergent. By Veronica Roth Abnegation Dauntless Answer Wired Divergent

I am not Abnegation. I am not Dauntless.I am Divergent. And I can't be controlled. By Veronica Roth Abnegation Divergent Controlled Dauntlessi

I feel like someone breathed new air into my lungs. I am not Abnegation. I am not Dauntless. I am Divergent. By Veronica Roth Lungs Feel Breathed Air Abnegation

It's not about Al," I snap. "It's about everyone watching! Everyone who now seeshurling themselves into the chasm as a viable option. I mean, why not do it if everyonecalls you a hero afterward? Why not do it if everyone will remember your name? It's ... Ican't ... By Veronica Roth Snap Watching Option Afterward Seeshurling

It's my choice now, no matter what the test says. Abnegation. Dauntless. Erudite. Divergent. By Veronica Roth Abnegation Dauntless Erudite Divergent Choice

Few people who are born into Abnegation choose to leave it. When they do, we remember. By Veronica Roth Abnegation People Born Choose Leave

I still want to smack him. Or remind him that the last transfer we had from Abnegation, who is sitting right next to him, managed to knock out some of his teeth, so who knows what this next one will do. By Veronica Roth Smack Abnegation Managed Teeth Remind

No wonder you left."Yeah," i say, rolling my eyes. " It was just because of the food. By Veronica Roth Yeah Left Rolling Eyes Food

I guess I am what I have always been. Not Dauntless, not Abnegation, not factionless. Divergent. By Veronica Roth Guess Dauntless Abnegation Divergent Factionless

Soft hearts make the universe worth living in. By Veronica Roth Soft Hearts Make Universe Worth

My body rises with the water. Instead of kicking my feet to stay abreast of it, I push all the air from my lungs and sink to the bottom. The water muffles my ears. I feel its movement over my face. I think about snorting the water into my lungs so it kills me faster, but I can't bring myself to do it. I blow bubbles from my mouth. Relax. I close my eyes. My lungs burn. By Veronica Roth Water Lungs Body Rises Bottom

Drink this," she says."What is it?" my throat feels swollen.I swallow hard. "What's going to happen?""Can't tell you that. Just trust me."I press air from my lungs and tip the contents of the vial into my mouth. My eyes close. By Veronica Roth Drink Says Hard Throat Feels

I have a scar-a faint gouge in my knee from when I fell down on the sidewalk as a child. It's always seemed stupid to me that none of the pain I've experienced has left a visible mark; sometimes, without a way to prove it to myself. I began to doubt that I had lied through it at all, with the memories becoming hazy over time. I want to have some kind of reminder that while wounds heal, they don't disappear forever- I carry them everywhere, always, and that is the way of things, the way of scars.That is what this tattoo will be, for me: a scar. And it seems fitting that it should document the worst memory of pain I have. By Veronica Roth Child Scara Faint Gouge Knee

What do" Tobias's voice. Tobias! "Oh my God. Oh" "Spare me your blubbering, okay? Peter says. "She's not dead; she's just paralyzed. It'll only last for about a minute. Now get ready to run." I don't understand. How does Peter know? "Let me carry her," Tobias says. "No. You're a better shot than I am. Take my gun. I'll carry her. By Veronica Roth Tobias Voice God Peter Spare

I always appreciate people's opinions, but sometimes I have to take a step back and remember why I'm writing and what I want to do with it. Shutting out the voices is difficult but it's been good for me. By Veronica Roth Opinions People Step Back Remember

But I killed a man just like my mother did. David says it's okay because I didn't mean to, and because he was about to kill that little kid. But I'm pretty sure my mom didn't mean to kill my dad, either, so what difference does that make, meaning or not meaning to do something? Accident or on purpose, the result is the same, and that's one fewer life than there should be in the world. By Veronica Roth Killed Man Mother Kill Meaning

Grabbing hold of facts in the midst of shock is very Erudite of him. By Veronica Roth Erudite Grabbing Hold Facts Midst

I also don't believe that whatever come after life depends on my correctly reciting a list of my transgressions-that sounds too much like an Erudite afterlife to me, all accuracy and no feeling. By Veronica Roth Erudite Feeling Life Depends Correctly

I almost laugh. My great act of heroism, the only important thing I have ever done, and they think I was working for the Erudite when I did it. By Veronica Roth Laugh Erudite Heroism Great Act

I don't know, I guess I agree with them. That if everyone would just keep learning about the world around them, they would have far fewer problems. By Veronica Roth Guess Agree Problems Learning World

Shut up, Four! she says, and I want to yell back that I'm as frustrated as she is, with anErudite vulture analyzing my every move, searching for my weak points so he can hit them as hardas he can. By Veronica Roth Shut Move Searching Yell Back

Maybe Dauntless was formed with good intentions, with the right ideals and the right goals. But it has strayed far from them. And the same is true of Erudite, I realize. A long time ago, Erudite pursued knowledge and ingenuity for the sake of doing good. Now they pursue knowledge and ingenuity with greedy hearts. I wonder if the other fractions suffer from the same problem By Veronica Roth Dauntless Intentions Goals Erudite Formed

The ability to think isn't exclusive to erudite By Veronica Roth Erudite Ability Exclusive

This used to be a commercial building," says Fernando, "but Erudite converted it into a school, for post-Choosing education. After the major renovations in Erudite headquarters about a decade agoyou know, when all the buildings across from Millennium were connected?they stopped teaching there. Too old, hard to update.""Thanks for the history lesson," says Christina. By Veronica Roth Fernando Erudite School Education Commercial

I knew by the way he looked at her that he held her in a higher regard than he held even himself. No selfishness or insecurity kept him from seeing the full extent of her goodeness, as it so often does with the rest of us. That kind of love may only be possible in Abnegation. I do not know.My father: Erudite-born, Abnegation-grown. He often found it difficult to live up to the demands of his chosen faction, just as I did. But he tried, and he knew true selflessness when he saw it. By Veronica Roth Held Looked Higher Regard Knew

Is there any other way to Erudite headquarters?" I say. "Not that I now of," says Cara. "Unless you want to jump from one roof to another." She laughs a little as she says it, like it's a joke. I raise my eyebrows at her. "Wait," she says. "You aren't considering? By Veronica Roth Erudite Headquarters Cara Wait Joke

They sit on the bed across from mine, and I tell them about getting cornered in one of the Erudite laboratories the night before, about the pillowcase and the Allegiant and the meeting."I'm surprised all you did was punch one of them," Uriah says."Well, I was outnumbered," I say, feeling defensive. It wasn't very Dauntless of me to just trust them immediately, but these are strange times. And I'm not sure how Dauntless I really am, anyway, now that the factions are gone. I feel a strange little ache at the thought, right in the middle of my chest. Some things are hard to let go of. By Veronica Roth Uriah Erudite Allegiant Dauntless Mine

Arrogance is one of the flaws in the Erudite heart I know. It is often in mine. By Veronica Roth Erudite Arrogance Flaws Heart Mine

I also remember that my father was one of the people who voted to get the Dauntless out of the factionless sector of the city. He said the poor didn't need policing; they needed help, and we could give it to them. But I would rather not mention that now, or here. It's one of the many things Erudite gives as evidence of Abnegation's incompetence. By Veronica Roth Dauntless City Remember Father People

I also wanted to ask you if we can talk to the Erudite you're keeping safe here," I say. "I know they're hidden, but I need access to them.""And what do you intend to do?" she says."Shoot them," I say, rolling my eyes."That isn't funny. By Veronica Roth Erudite Wanted Talk Keeping Safe

Abnegation produces deeply serious people. People who automatically see things like need," he says. "I've noticed that when people switch to Dauntless, it creates some of the same types. Erudite who switch to Dauntless tend to turn cruel and brutal. Candor who switch to Dauntless tend to become boisterous, fight-picking adrenaline junkies. And Abnegation who switch to Dauntless become ... I don't know, soldiers, I guess. Revolutionaries. By Veronica Roth Dauntless Switch People Abnegation Produces

Ignore them. They don't know what it is to make a difficult decision.""You wouldn't have done it, I bet.""That is only because I have been taught to be cautious when I don't know all the information, and you have been taught that risks can produce great rewards. By Veronica Roth Ignore Taught Decision Bet Information

My father taught me to see erudite a particular way. He never taught me that they made no judgments about what people believed, but designed things for them within the confines of those beliefs. By Veronica Roth Taught Father Erudite Believed Beliefs

I can be a new person,someone who doesn't put up with cutting comments from Erudite know-it-alls.Someone who can cut back.Someone who's finally ready to fight.Four. By Veronica Roth Erudite Fightfour Personsomeone Put Cutting

I could tell him I've been worried for weeks about what the aptitude test will tell me - Abnegation, Candor, Erudite, Amity, or Dauntless? By Veronica Roth Abnegation Candor Erudite Amity Dauntless

I have a message for the Divergent" I am Divergent. "This is not a negotiation" No, it is not. "It is a warning" I understand. "Every two days until one of you delivers yourself to Erudite headquarters ... " I will. " ... this will happen again" It will never happen again. By Veronica Roth Divergent Message Happen Erudite Negotiation

Dauntless is the cruelest of the fiveThey tear each other to pieces ... Erudite is the coldest of the fiveKnowledge is a costly thing ... By Veronica Roth Dauntless Pieces Cruelest Fivethey Tear

Gray stones for Abnegation, water for Erudite, earth for Amity, lit coals for Dauntless, and glass for Candor. By Veronica Roth Abnegation Erudite Amity Dauntless Candor

the main Erudite building would be a library. By Veronica Roth Erudite Library Main Building

Hey! Peter!" I shout, my breaths turning to vapor. Peter stands by the doorway to Erudite headquarters, looking clueless. At the sound of his name - which I have told him at least ten times since he drank the serum - he raises his eyebrows, pointing to his chest. Matthew told us people would be disoriented for a while after drinking the memory serum, but I didn't think "disoriented" meant "stupid" until now. I sigh. "Yes, that's you! For the eleventh time! Come on, let's go. By Veronica Roth Hey Peter Serum Told Disoriented

I recognize Eric for what he is: an Erudite disguised as a Dauntless, a genius as well as a sadist, a hunter of the Divergent. By Veronica Roth Dauntless Divergent Eric Erudite Sadist

He and Peter escaped, and walked back to the city," says Caleb.I am not at all relieved to find out that Peter is still alive. "Where's Peter, then?""He is where you would expect him to be," Caleb replies."Erudite," I say. I shake my head. "What a"I can't even think of a word strong enough to describe him. Apparently I need to expand my vocabulary. By Veronica Roth Peter Escaped City Alive Erudite

You all have functional brains, last time I checked," I say. "You can think like the Erudite, too.""But we don't have special Divergent brains!" says Marlene. She touches her fingertips to my scalp and squeezes lightly. "Come on, do your magic. By Veronica Roth Brains Checked Erudite Marlene Too

And he's right to say that every faction loses something when it gains a virtue: the Dauntless, brave but cruel; the Erudite, intelligent but vain; the Amity, peaceful but passive; the Candor, honest but inconsiderate; the Abnegation, selfless but stifling. By Veronica Roth Dauntless Erudite Amity Candor Abnegation

Everything - our houses, our clothes, our hairstyles - is meant to help us forget ourselves and to protect us from vanity, greed and envy, which are just forms of selfishness. If we have little, and want for little, and we are all equal, we envy no one. By Veronica Roth Houses Clothes Hairstyles Vanity Greed

I would be shocked by the lack of security if we were not at Amity headquarters. They often straddle the line between trust and stupidity. By Veronica Roth Amity Headquarters Shocked Lack Security

Tricking someone into grief is one of the cruelest tricks a person can play, By Veronica Roth Tricking Play Grief Cruelest Tricks

Instead I take the lead, Tobias silent at my side, and though he does not touch me, he steadies me. By Veronica Roth Tobias Lead Side Silent Touch

To me, Tris has always seemed magnetic in a way I could not describe, and that she was not aware of. I have never feared or hated her for it, the way Peter does, but then, I have always been in a position of strength myself, not threatened by her. Now that I have lost that position, I can feel the tug toward resentment, as strong and sure as a hand around my arm. By Veronica Roth Tris Describe Magnetic Aware Position

'Divergent' was my utopian world. I mean, that wasn't the plan. I never even set out to write dystopian fiction, that's just what I had when I was finished. At the beginning, I was just writing about a place I found interesting and a character with a compelling story, and as I began to build the world, I realized that it was my utopia. By Veronica Roth Divergent World Utopian Plan Fiction

There is power in self-sacrifice. I By Veronica Roth Selfsacrifice Power

I try to catch my breath and calm myself down, but it isn't easy. I was dead. I was dead, and then i wasn't, and why? Because of Peter? Peter? I stare at him. He still looks so innocent, despite all that he has done to prove that he is not. His hair lies smooth against his head, shiny and dark, like we didn't just run for a mile at full speed. His round eyes scan the stairwell and then rest on my face. "What?" he says. "Why are you looking at me like that?" " How did you do it?" I say. By Veronica Roth Dead Easy Peter Catch Breath

Yeah. I can see what you bring out in him. You don't know this because you've never experienced it, but Four without you is a much different person. He's ... obsessive, explosive, insecure ... ""Obsessive?""What else do you call someone who repeatedly goes through his own fear landscape?""I don't know ... determined." I pause. "Brave.""Yeah, sure. But also a little bit crazy, right? I mean, most Dauntless would rather leap into the chasm than keep going through their fear landscapes. There's bravery and then there's masochism, and the line got a little hazy with him. By Veronica Roth Yeah Obsessive Fear Brave Landscape

Uriah drops his tray next to me. It is loaded with beef stew and chocolate cake. I stare at the cake pile."There was cake?" I say, looking at my own plate, which is more sensibly stocked than Uriah's."Yeah, someone just brought it out. Found a couple boxes of the mix in the back and baked it," he says. "You can have a few bites of mine.""A few bites? So you're planning on eating that mountain of cake by yourself?""Yes." He looks confused. "Why?""Never mind. By Veronica Roth Cake Uriah Drops Tray Yeah

What did you do, memorize a map of the city for fun?" says Christina."Yes," says Will, looking puzzled. "Didn't you? By Veronica Roth Christina Memorize Fun Puzzled Map

I used to think that when people fell in love, they just landed where they landed, and they had no choice in the matter afterward. And maybe that's true of beginnings, but it's not true of this, now. By Veronica Roth Landed Love Afterward People Fell

I don't know how, but the dormitory smells like sleep - like laundry and shoes and night sweats and morning coffee. By Veronica Roth Sleep Coffee Dormitory Smells Laundry

I feel the monster of grief again, writhing in the empty space where my heart and stomach used to be. I gasp, pressing both palms to my chest. Now the monstrous thing has its claws around my throat, squeezing my airway. I twist and put my head between my knees, breathing until the strangled feeling leaves me. By Veronica Roth Writhing Feel Monster Grief Empty

Sometimes you just need to talk to someone who is detached from you. They just listen to what you tell them and you get to form the way that they see you, whereas everyone else in your life already thinks they know what you're dealing with or what you're going through. That's my recommendation for actual anxiety. By Veronica Roth Talk Detached Listen Form Life

I also see you," she says fiercely, her hand closing around my arm. "And I know who you are. By Veronica Roth Fiercely Arm Hand Closing

You have failed. You can't control me!" I scream,so loud it hurts my throat. I stop struggling and sag against Peter's chest. "You will never be able to control me."I laugh, mirthless, a mad laugh. I savor the scowl on her face, the hate in her eyes. She was like a machine; she was cold and emotionless, bound by logic alone. And I broke her.I broke her. By Veronica Roth Failed Laugh Control Broke Peter

I thought you were supposed to be at home, waiting for your boyfriend to come back a hero.""As you may have gathered," I say, walking up a step, "that was never going to happen. By Veronica Roth Home Waiting Hero Gathered Walking

I touch her cheek to slow the kiss down, holding her mouth on mine so I can feel every place where our lips touch and every place where they pull away. I savor the air we share in the second afterwards and the slip of her nose across mine. I think of something to say, but it is too intimate, so I swallow it. A moment later I decide I don't care. "I wish we were alone," I say as I back out of the cell. She smiles. "I almost always wish that. By Veronica Roth Place Touch Mine Holding Cheek

What do you think they're going to do to us when they find us guilty?" she says after a few minutes of silence have passed."Honestly?""Does now seem like the time for honesty?"I look at her from the corner of my eye. "I think they're going to force us to eat lots of cake and then take an unreasonably long nap. By Veronica Roth Honestly Guilty Passed Honesty Eye

Um ... how's your nose?""It's fine," he says. "I think the bruise really brings out my eyes, don't you? By Veronica Roth Nose Fine Eyes Bruise Brings

Welcome to the Amity compound,' says Johanna. Her eyes fix on my face, and she smiles crookedly. 'Let us take care of you. By Veronica Roth Johanna Amity Compound Face Crookedly

Why did you do it?" I say. "You want me dead. You were willing to do it yourself! What changed?" He presses his lips together and doesn't look away, not for a long time. Then he opens his mouth, hesitates, and finally says, " I can't be in anyone's debt. Okay? The idea that I owed you something made me sick. I would wake up in the middle of the night feeling like I was going to vomit. Indebted to a stiff? It's ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. And I couldn't have it. By Veronica Roth Ridiculous Dead Hesitates Changed Time

It's sunny today, the light glowing through the white curtains. I don't know how, but the dormitory smells like sleep-like laundry and shoes and night sweats and morning coffee. Some of the beds are made, and some still have rumpled sheets bunched up at the bottom or the side. By Veronica Roth Today Curtains Sunny Light Glowing

Formed with good intentions, with the right ideals and the right goals. By Veronica Roth Formed Intentions Goals Good Ideals

The floor is solid metal in some places and metal grating in others. Everything smells like rotting garbage and fire."Don't say I never took you anywhere nice," Peter says."Wouldn't dream of it," I say. By Veronica Roth Metal Peter Floor Solid Places

And who really cares if you flash people your underwear, as long as you're kicking the crap out of them? By Veronica Roth Underwear Cares Flash People Long

What's your name.""Um ... " I don't know why I hesitate, but Betrise just doesn't sound right anymore. I have a chance to be remade here. A new fraction, a new name."Tris," I say firmly."Welcome to dauntless," he says to me. By Veronica Roth Name Tris Betrise Hesitate Anymore

Caleb," I say, "I love you."His eyes gleam with tear as he says, "I love you, too, Beatrice. By Veronica Roth Beatrice Caleb Love You Eyes

She taught me all about real sacrifice. That it should be done from love ... That it should be done from necessity, not without exhausting all other options. That it should be done for people who need your strength because they don't have enough of their own. By Veronica Roth Sacrifice Taught Real Love Necessity

It's getting more difficult to be wise," he says, laughing into my ear.I smile at him. "I think that's how it'ssupposed to be. By Veronica Roth Wise Laughing Difficult Eari Smile

Thank you, God, for your Son and for blessing me beyond comprehension. By Veronica Roth God Son Comprehension Blessing

Suddenly he presses a hand to my stomach. His fingers are so long that, though the heel of his hand touches one side of my rib cage, his fingertips still touch the other side. My heart pounds so hard my chest hurts, and I stare at him, wide-eyed. "Never forget to keep tension here," he says in a quiet voice. Four lifts his hand and keeps walking. By Veronica Roth Hand Suddenly Stomach Presses Side

Shh," I say. "Arms around me." Obediently, he slips both arms around my waist. I smile at the wall. I am not enjoying this. I am not, not even a little bit, no. By Veronica Roth Shh Arms Obediently Waist Wall

Four sits down on the edge of the carousel, leaning against a plastic horse's foot. His eyes lift to the sky, where there are no stars, only a round moon peking through a thin layer of clouds. The muscles in his arms are relaxed; his hand rests on the back of his neck. He looks almost comfortable, holding that gun to his shoulder. I close my eyes briefly. Why does he distract me so easily? I need to focus. By Veronica Roth Carousel Leaning Foot Sits Edge

It is only when she turns to close the door that I see a tattoo on the back of her neck, a black-and-white hawk with a red eye. If I didn't feel like my heart had migrated to my throat, I would ask her what it signifies. It must signify something. By Veronica Roth Neck Hawk Eye Turns Close

I breathe in. The water will wash my wounds clean. I breathe out. My mother submerged me in water when I was a baby, to give me to God. It has been a long time since I thought about God, but I think about him now. It is only natural. I am glad, suddenly, that I shot Eric in the foot instead of the head. By Veronica Roth God Breathe Water Clean Eric

I don't really control the story. I just let it go where it wants to go. I have no idea what's going to happen in the end or who's going to live, so it's kind of like me saying, "I don't know, guys! Just wait." That's what I'm doing! By Veronica Roth Story Control Guys Live Wait

When I look at the Abnegation lifestyle as an outsider, I think it's beautiful. When I watch my family move in harmony; when we go to dinner parties and everyone cleans together afterward without having to be asked; when I see Caleb help strangers carry their groceries, I fall in love with this life all over again. By Veronica Roth Abnegation Outsider Beautiful Lifestyle Caleb

I look out the window again, taking slow, deep breaths into a body too tense to move. And as I stare out at the land, I think that this, if nothing else, is compelling evidence for my parents' God, that our world is so massive that it is completely out of our control, that we cannot possibly be as large as we feel. -Tris Prior By Veronica Roth Taking Slow Deep Move Window

Some people might leave you,' he said, for once ignoring a joke in favor of something real. 'But it doesn't mean you're worth leaving. It doesn't mean that at all. By Veronica Roth Real People Leave Ignoring Joke

would be stupid to confide your entire plan to one person. It's infinitely smarter to give little pieces of it to each person working with you. That way, if someone betrays you, the loss isn't too great." "Oh," says Uriah. Lynn picks up her fork and starts eating again. "I heard the Candor made ice cream," says Marlene, twisting her head around to see the lunch line. "You know, as a kind of 'it sucks we got attacked, but at least there are desserts' thing. By Veronica Roth Person Stupid Confide Entire Plan

Some of my anger has faded, but it isn't hard to call back. All I have to do is think about how cold the air was and how loud the laughter was. Look at her. She's a child. By Veronica Roth Faded Back Anger Hard Call

She'll have to get over it, then. Are you going to let her drop out of Dauntless for a stupid reason like not being able to walk? Zeke is quiet for a few seconds. His eyes shift over my face, and he squints, as if weighing and measuring me. Then he turns and bends and wraps his arms around me. it's been so long since someone hugged me that I stiffen. Then I relax, and let the gesture force warmth over my body ... By Veronica Roth Dauntless Walk Drop Stupid Reason

I forgot my watch. Minutes or hours later, when the panic subsides, that is what I most regret. Not coming here in the first place - that seemed like an obvious choice - but my bare wrist, which makes it impossible for me to know how long I have been sitting in this room. My back aches, which is some indication, but it is not definite enough. By Veronica Roth Watch Forgot Minutes Subsides Regret

His hands skim my bare arms. "Just bounce a little when you walk," he says, kissing my forehead, "and pretend you're afraid of their guns" - another kiss between my eyebrows - "and act like the shrinking violet you could never be " - a kiss on my cheek - "and you'll be fine. By Veronica Roth Arms Hands Skim Bare Kiss

The opinions of others cannot damage you. By Veronica Roth Opinions Damage

I know what it is to become something you hate, I know how it hurts. But life is full of hurt. And your capacity for baring it is much greater than you believe."pg 287 By Veronica Roth Hate Hurts Hurt Believe Life

He pulls me over the railing and against his chest, gathering me into his arms, easing an arm under my knees. I press my face into his shoulder, and there is a sudden, hollow silence. By Veronica Roth Chest Gathering Easing Knees Pulls

Scrubbing the floor when no one else wanted to was something that my mother would have done. If I can't be with her, the least I can do is act like her sometimes. By Veronica Roth Scrubbing Floor Wanted Mother Act

She smiles.Her teeth are crooked. If I knocked them out,I might be doing her a favor. By Veronica Roth Crooked Smilesher Teeth Favor Knocked

Sometimes bravery involves laying down your life for something bigger than yourself, or for someone else. Sometimes it involves giving up everything you have ever known, or everyone you have ever loved, for the sake of something greater. By Veronica Roth Involves Bravery Laying Life Bigger

I didn't know it was possible to conquer fear in your body before you did it in your mind. That was when I knew I should be wary of him. By Veronica Roth Mind Conquer Fear Body Knew

We're all right, you know,' he says quietly. 'You and me. Okay?' My chest aches, and I nod. 'Nothing else is all right.' His whisper tickles my cheek. 'But we are. By Veronica Roth Quietly Aches Nod Cheek Chest

She's not pretty, that word is too small. She is not like the girls I used to stare at, all bend and curve and softness. She is small but strong, and her bright eyes demand attention. Looking at her is like waking up. By Veronica Roth Pretty Word Small Softness Girls

Is this scaring you, Tris?""No," I croak. I clear my throat. "Not really. I'm only ... afraid of what I want.""What do you want?" Then his face tightens. "Me?" Slowly I nod. He nods too, and takes my hands in his gently. By Veronica Roth Tris Croak Scaring Throat Clear

To my mother, who gave me the moment when Beatrice realizes how strong her mother is and wonders how she missed it for so long. By Veronica Roth Beatrice Long Mother Gave Moment

He must have stood there for a long time, making a list of all the terrible things he had done - almost killinng me was one of those thingss - and another list of all the good, heroic, brave things he had not done, and then decided that he was tired. Tired, not just of living, but of existing. Tired of being Al. By Veronica Roth List Things Heroic Tired Time

Not like Tobias, who is almost shy when he smiles, like he is surprised you bothered to look at him in the first place. By Veronica Roth Tobias Smiles Place Shy Surprised

Uriah looked better than he did an hour agohe washed the blood from his mouth, and some of the color returned to his face. I'm struck, suddenly, by how handsome he is all his features are proportionate, his eyes dark and lively, his skin bronze-brown. And he has probably always been handsome. Only boys who have been handsome from a young age have that arrogance in their smile. Not like Tobias, who is almost shy when he smiles like he is surprised you bothered to look at him from the first place. By Veronica Roth Uriah Mouth Face Handsome Looked

My heart beats so hard it hurts, and I can't scream and I can't breathe, but I also feel everything, every vein and every fiber, every bone and every nerve, all awake and buzzing in my body as if charged with electricity. I am pure adrenaline. By Veronica Roth Hurts Breathe Fiber Nerve Electricity

Caleb frowns at him. "How old are you, anyway?""Eighteen.""And you don't think you're too old to be with my little sister?"Tobias lets out a short laugh. "She isn't your little anything. By Veronica Roth Caleb Eighteen Frowns Tobias Sister

I love you." He frowns."Say it again.""Tobias," I say. "I love you. By Veronica Roth Tobias Love Frowns Again

I see how the mammoth planet that terrifies me seems like a haven to him, a place where he can disappear into its great space, never distinguishing himself, and never being held responsible for his actions. By Veronica Roth Space Actions Mammoth Planet Terrifies

I close my eyes. I don't expect Four to reassure me, and he makes no effort to, but I feel better standing here than I did out there among the people who are my friends, my faction. By Veronica Roth Eyes Close Friends Faction Expect

God, Four!" I snap. "You don't want to have to tell me everything right away, but I have to tell you everything right away? Can't you see how stupid that is?""First of all, don't use that name like a weapon against me," he says, pointing at me. By Veronica Roth God Snap Pointing Stupid Weapon

Hmm." He grins, and leans forward onto his knees. He presses his hands to the metal plate, framing my head with his arms, and kisses me, slowly, on my mouth, under my jaw, right above my collarbone. By Veronica Roth Hmm Slowly Grins Knees Leans

They all laugh. We all laugh. And it occurs to me that I might be meeting Tobias's true faction. They are not characterized by a particular virtue. They claim all colors, all activities, all virtues, and all flaws as their own. By Veronica Roth Laugh Tobias Virtue Virtues Faction

I see a kind of thirst in her expression, the same one I saw when she told me about her brother in the back room of the tattoo parlor. Before the attack simulation I might have called it a thirst for justice, or even revenge, but now I am able to identify it as a thirst for blood. And even as it frightens me, I understand it.Which should probably frighten me even more. By Veronica Roth Thirst Expression Parlor Kind Told

What is wrong with you?' I shake my head. 'Pull it together.' And that's what it feels like: pulling the different parts of me up and in like a shoelace. I feel suffocated, but at least I feel strong. By Veronica Roth Wrong Pull Feel Head Shake

Aren't you going to ask me if I'm all right?" I say."No, I'm pretty sure you're not all right."He shakes his head. "I'm going to ask you not to make any decisions until we've talkedabout it. By Veronica Roth Say Right Head Pretty Shakes

Yes," I say. "Three of these flying birds."I touch my collarbone, marking the path of their flight - toward my heart. One for each member of the family I left behind. By Veronica Roth Birds Collarbone Marking Flight Heart

I'm not sure bravery is something you acquire more of with age, like wisdom but maybe here, in Dauntless, bravery is the highest form of wisdom, the acknowledgement that life can and should be lived without fear. By Veronica Roth Dauntless Bravery Age Fear Wisdom

We believe in bravery. We believe in taking action. We believe in freedom from fear and in acquiring the skills to force the bad out of our world so that the good can prosper and thrive. If you also believe in those things, we welcome you. By Veronica Roth Bravery Action Taking Thrive Things

If you flinch," Four says, slowly, carefully. "Al takes your place. Understand?" I nod. Four's eyes are still on mine when he lifts his hand, pulls his elbow back, and throws the knife. It is just a flash in the air, and then I hear a thud. The knife is buried in the board, half a foot away from the my cheek. I close my eyes. Thank God. "You about done Stiff?" asks Four. I remember Al's wide eyes and his quiet sobs at night and shake my head. "No." "Eyes open, then." He taps the spot between his eyebrows ... "Come on, Stiff," he says. "Let someone else stand there and take it." Why is he trying to goad me into giving up? Does he want me to fail? "Shut up, Four!" ... My body goes rigid. This time, when it hits the board, my ear stings, and blood tickles my skin. I touch my ear. He nicked it. And judging by the look he gives me, he did it on purpose. By Veronica Roth Slowly Carefully Eyes Flinch Stiff

Crying defies scientific explanation. Tears are only meant to lubricate the eyes. There is no real reason for tear glands to overproduce tears at the behest of emotion. By Veronica Roth Crying Explanation Defies Scientific Tears

If they are persistent enough, even tiny drops of water, over time, can change the rock forever. By Veronica Roth Water Time