I have realized that part of being Dauntless is being willing to make things more difficult for yourself in order to be self-sufficient.
Veronica RothWhy 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.
Veronica RothOne piece of advice I have is: Want something else more than success. Success is a lovely thing, but your desire to say something, your worth, and your identity shouldnโt rely on it, because itโs not guaranteed and itโs not permanent and itโs not sufficient. So work hard, fall in love with the writing โ the characters, the story, the words, the themes โ and make sure that you are who you are regardless of your life circumstances. That way, when the good things come, they donโt warp you, and when the bad things hit you, you donโt fall apart.
Veronica RothIโd ask you to hang out with us, but youโre not supposed to see me this way.โโฆ โWhat way?โ I ask. โDrunk?โ โYeahโฆwell, no.โ His voice softens. โReal, I guess.โ โIโll pretend I didnโt.โ โNice of you.โ He puts his lips next to my ear and says, โYou look good, Tris.โโฆ I laugh. โDo me a favor and stay away from the chasm, okay?โ โOf course.โ He winks at me.
Veronica Roth