A son says to his Mother: "Mother, today I fought with my friend." His Mother says: "Why did you fight with your friend?"" Because he demanded something of me, and I would not give it to him."" Why did you not give it to him?"" Because it was mine."" My son, you now have possessions, but you do not have your friend. Which would you rather have?"" My friend."" Then give freely, trusting that you will also be given what you need.

— Veronica Roth

At home, I used to spend calm, pleasant nights with my family. My mother knit scarves for the neighborhood kids. My father helped Caleb with his homework. There was a fire in the fireplace and peace in my heart, as I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing, and everything was quiet. I have never been carried around by a large boy, or laughed until my stomach hurt at the dinner table, or listened to the clamor of a hundred people all talking at once. Peace is restrained; this is free.

— Veronica Roth

At that moment I’m able to accept the inevitability of how I feel, though not with joy. I need to talk to someone. I need to trust someone. And for whatever reason, I know, I know it’s her.

— Veronica Roth

Be careful, though."" Aren't I always?"" No, I think the word for how you are usually is 'reckless.

— Veronica Roth

Because inside me is a beast that snarls, and growls, and strains toward freedom. And as hard as I try, I cannot kill it.

— Veronica Roth

Because life is not fair, Albert. And the world is conspiring against you.

— Veronica Roth

Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.

— Veronica Roth

But a person can only keep reality - and anger - at bay for so long before the truth comes back again.

— Veronica Roth

But I know that for every good thing that comes along, there is always a cost.

— Veronica Roth

... but in an attack, surviving is an accident. It doesn't take skill to stand in a place where no bullets find you, or to fire into the dark and hit a man you didn't see. It is all luck, or providence, depending on what you believe.

— Veronica Roth