Somewhere inside me is a merciful, forgiving person. Somewhere there is a girl who tries to understand what people are going through, who accepts that people do evil things and that desperation leads them to darker places than they ever imagined. I swear she exists, and she hurts for the repentant boy I see in front of me.

But if I saw her, I wouldn't recognize her.


Veronica Roth

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VERONICA ROTH
What did you do?" I scream.
"You die, I die too.
VERONICA ROTH
His fingers slide into my hair, and I hold on to his arms to stay steady as we press together like t...
VERONICA ROTH
There's a reason why she left them, Lauren," he says. His voice is deep, and it rumbles. "What's you...
VERONICA ROTH
I deposited Drew at the infirmary a half hour ago.
VERONICA ROTH
I would like to experience this 'date' phenomenon.
VERONICA ROTH
And don't call me 'Four', okay? It's nice to hear my name again.
VERONICA ROTH
I push open the door just as Tobias, who is sitting on the floor with one leg stretched out, hurls a...
VERONICA ROTH
I have a scar - a faint gouge in my knee from when I fell down on the sidewalk as a child. It's alwa...
VERONICA ROTH
In them we find administrators and teachers and counselors and leaders and protectors. In them we fi...
VERONICA ROTH
I have to get out.
VERONICA ROTH
Today you will choose your factions. Until this point you have followed your parents’ paths, your ...
VERONICA ROTH
she sighs, then breaks a piece off the muffin in my hand. 'Hey. There are plenty more just five feet...
VERONICA ROTH
Dauntless,' he says. 'I was born for Abnegation. I was planning on leaving Dauntless, and becoming f...
VERONICA ROTH
His eyes search the crowd until they find my face. My heartbeat lives in my throat; lives in my chee...
VERONICA ROTH
If we stay together, I'll have to forgive you over and over again, and if you're still in this, you'...
VERONICA ROTH
Tris," Tobias says, crouching next to me. His face is pale, almost yellow.
There is too much I ...
VERONICA ROTH
You die, I die too.
VERONICA ROTH
Whoa there, Tobias," says the man to my left. "Weren't you raised a Stiff? I thought the most you pe...
VERONICA ROTH
I fit my mouth to his and he tastes like water and smells like fresh air. I drag my hand from his ne...
VERONICA ROTH
Come on,'he says.' I have something else to show you.
VERONICA ROTH
Why is your heart racing Tris?
VERONICA ROTH
You don't have to tell me everything right away, but I have to tell you everything right away? Can't...
VERONICA ROTH
Your daughter is doing well here. I've been overseeing her training."
Since when does "overseei...
VERONICA ROTH
I'll be your family now," he says.
"I love you," I say. (....)
He stares at me. I wait wi...
VERONICA ROTH
People are supossed to aspire to become their fathers, not shudder at the thought.
VERONICA ROTH
Sometimes, all it takes to save people from a terrible fate is one person willing to do something ab...
VERONICA ROTH
Now she looks pale and small, but her eyes make me think of wide- open skies that I have never actua...
VERONICA ROTH
I understand why she did all those things, but that doesn't mean we aren't still broken.
VERONICA ROTH
In the days that follow, it's movement, not stillness, that helps to keep the grief at bay.
VERONICA ROTH
All I can do is stand still- I feel like if I just stand still, I can stop it from being true, I can...
VERONICA ROTH
I keep finding myself stifled by the company of others and then crippled by loneliness when I leave ...
VERONICA ROTH
Simulation Tobias kisses my neck.

I try to think. I have to face the fear. I have to take...
VERONICA ROTH
He slides his hand over my cheek, one finger anchored behind my ear. Then he tilts his head down and...
VERONICA ROTH
Okay, okay.” I set my hand on top of his and guide it to my chest, so it’s right over my heart. ...
VERONICA ROTH
Resisting is worth doing.
VERONICA ROTH
Someone shouts, "Enough!" and I think too much and nothing at all.
VERONICA ROTH
I want to be brave, and selfless, and smart, and kind, and honest.
VERONICA ROTH
One thing I know: For helping me forget how awful the world is, I prefer her to alcohol.
VERONICA ROTH
I never used to understand why people bothered to hold hands as they walked, but then he runs one of...
VERONICA ROTH
It isn't just brave that she died for me; it is brave that she did it without announcing it, without...
VERONICA ROTH
One choice can transform you.
One choice can destroy you.
Once choice will define you.
VERONICA ROTH
It is more important for you to be safe than right, for the time being. Understand? (...) But please...
VERONICA ROTH
Every faction conditions its members to think and act a certain way. And most people do it. For most...
VERONICA ROTH
My name is Four,” I say. “Call me ‘Stiff’ again and you and I will have a problem.
VERONICA ROTH
And I'm the kind of person who does not let inconsequential things like boys and near death experien...
VERONICA ROTH
He turns toward me. I want to touch him, but I’m afraid of his bareness; afraid that he will make ...
VERONICA ROTH
Yeah, well," I say, "I left Abnegation because I wasn't selfless enough, no matter how hard I tried ...
VERONICA ROTH
Okay. Then...I can talk. Ask me something."
"Okay." He laughs shakily in my ear. "Why is your h...
VERONICA ROTH
You nearly died today,' he says. 'I almost shot you. Why didn't you shoot me, Tris?'
'I couldn'...
VERONICA ROTH
I release the trigger of my gun and drop it. Before I can lose my nerve, I turn and press my forehea...
VERONICA ROTH
We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for anothe...
VERONICA ROTH
Now i remember why I chose Dauntless. Not because they were brave or anything. But because they were...
VERONICA ROTH
The knife will only hurt for a moment. Then your choice will be made, and it will all be over.
VERONICA ROTH
Killing you is not the worst thing they can do to you," I say. "Controlling you is.
VERONICA ROTH
But you should know that about Dauntless- girl, guy, whatever, it doesn't matter here. What matters ...
VERONICA ROTH