I used to think about giving my life up for things, but I didn't understand what 'giving your life' really was until it was right there, about to be taken from me

I want people to come away from my book with questions. Questions about virtue and goodness. Not answers.

Not like Tobias, who is almost shy when he smiles, like he is surprised you bothered to look at him in the first place.

...there is power in self-sacrifice.

I am selfish. I am brave.

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.

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