I can’t tell him I need him. I can’t need him, period – or really, we can’t need each other, because who knows how long either of us will last in this war?
Candor does not provide us with protection, sustenance, or technological innovation. Therefore you are expendable to us.
I wake wondering how I did not notice, every day I sat across from her at the breakfast table, that she was full to bursting with Dauntless energy. Was it because she hid it well? Or was it because I wasn’t looking?
Arrogance is one of the flaws in the Erudite heart – I know. It is often in mine.
I get the strange urge to hit my head against the wall. Other people’s sobs make me feel uncomfortable.
Inquisitiveness is self-serving, Johanna. -Marcus Eaton.
There is a reason you don’t know all the things I know. -Marcus Eaton.
By the time we leave, I have red lips and curled eyelashes, and I’m wearing a bright red dress. And there’s a knife strapped to the inside of my knee. This all makes perfect sense.
Independent and uninvolved. Must be nice. -Tris.
I am a naturally curious person. -Tris.
Beatrice. We should think of our family. But. But we must also think of ourselves.
I traded cowardice for cruelty; I traded weakness for ferocity.
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.
I shift from one foot to the other, trying to get a good look at him. When I finally do, I look away. His eyes were already on me, probably drawn by my nervous movement.
I realize that the decision might be simple. It will require a great act of selflessness to choose Abnegation, or a great act of courage to choose Dauntless, and maybe just choosing one over the other will prove that I belong.
You’re not a coward just because you don’t want to hurt people.
I don’t want to stop you. I want you to stop yourself.
Some people believe that I will go nowhere, and maybe they’re right, but maybe they’re not.
Not like Tobias, who is almost shy when he smiles, like he is surprised you bothered to look at him in the first place.
Honesty leads to peace.