Killing you is not the worst thing they can do to you," I say. "Controlling you is.

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.

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.

I am his, and he is mine, and it has been that way all along.

The official strategy is defensive pessimism, always.

Valuing knowledge above all else results in a lust for power, and that leads men into dark and empty places.

Half of bravery is perspective.