--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Dead people can be our heroes because…" description: "\"Dead people can be our heroes because they can't disappoint us later; they only improve over time, as we forget more and more about them.\" — Veronica Roth" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/veronica-roth-66_dead-people_dead-people-can-be-our-heroes-because-th_756850.png" --- # Dead people can be our heroes because they can't… ![“Dead people can be our heroes because they can't disappoint us later; they only improve over time, as we forget more and more about them.” quote by Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/veronica-roth-66_dead-people_dead-people-can-be-our-heroes-because-th_756850.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/veronica-roth-66_dead-people_dead-people-can-be-our-heroes-because-th_756850.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/veronica-roth-66_dead-people_dead-people-can-be-our-heroes-because-th_756850.png) > “Dead people can be our heroes because they can't disappoint us later; they only improve over time, as we forget more and more about them.” [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Dead heroes are safe to idealize; they improve as we forget flaws. **In simple terms:** Idealizing the dead avoids disappointment. Key Takeaway Remember both strengths and flaws of role models. Themes memory hero worship idealization Mood reflective nostalgic Type cultural psychological When to use this quote - personal growth - cultural narratives - historical analysis Key Concepts psychology of nostalgia role models Questions to Reflect On - How does forgetting flaws affect our values? - When is it healthy to re-evaluate heroes? A Different Perspective Idealization can distort reality and hinder learning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dead people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dead-people/) [Disappoint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disappoint/) [Forget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forget/) [Hero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hero/) [Heroes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heroes/) [Later](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/later/) [Later Improve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/later-improve-5876500/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Heroes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-heroes-396496/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [In terms of people who we call heroes - and I don't tend to like that term, and firefighters don't consider themselves heroes -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-spencer/in-terms-of-people-who-we-call-heroes-and-i-don-t-tend-to-like-that/) [Jesse Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-spencer/) > [As I meet more people who were my heroes, I see there is something about them that rings true with all I've ever read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-trent-d-arby/as-i-meet-more-people-who-were-my-heroes-i-see-there-is-something/) [Terence Trent D'Arby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-trent-d-arby/) > [That is again a romantic notion: the hero. I think people enjoy a much more levelled playing field where you have the ability for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sorrell/that-is-again-a-romantic-notion-the-hero-i-think-people-enjoy-a-much/) [Martin Sorrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sorrell/) > [I fell in love with him. But I don't just stay with him by default as if there's no one else available to me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-fell-in-love-with-him-but-i-don-t-just-stay-with-him-by-default-as/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“that we fight or lie to each other or disappoint each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/that-we-fight-or-lie-to-each-other-or-disappoint-each-other/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [The one thing I know, everyone respects the true person and everyone's not true with themselves. All of these people who are heroes, these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tyson/the-one-thing-i-know-everyone-respects-the-true-person-and-everyone-s/) [Mike Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tyson/) > [Woe to the people that fails to honor its heroes! It will cease producing them, cease knowing them. Heroes spring from the essence of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-hess/woe-to-the-people-that-fails-to-honor-its-heroes-it-will-cease/) [Rudolf Hess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-hess/) > [“I don’t wear a red cape. I can’t scale buildings like a salamander or leap across canyons twenty miles wide. I don’t have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meggie-royer/i-don-t-wear-a-red-cape-i-can-t-scale-buildings-like-a-salamander-or/) [Meggie Royer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meggie-royer/) > [People call us heroes, but we are nothing compared to our police force and fire fighters and everybody who protects us and makes sure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-reigns/people-call-us-heroes-but-we-are-nothing-compared-to-our-police-force/) [Roman Reigns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-reigns/) > [One of the things I stress to those I meet, especially young people, is that we are the heroes of our own lives, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/one-of-the-things-i-stress-to-those-i-meet-especially-young-people-is/) [Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) > [I don't see many people as heroes and, though I love sport, I believe athletes rarely deserve that praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-duley/i-don-t-see-many-people-as-heroes-and-though-i-love-sport-i-believe/) [Giles Duley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-duley/) > [“So at the end of the day, here was what Mike was able to believe in: people.It was people and their kindness the made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaya-mclaren/so-at-the-end-of-the-day-here-was-what-mike-was-able-to-believe-in/) [Kaya McLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaya-mclaren/) > [People who really try to be conscious of what they have done, who take responsibility, to me these kinds of people are heroes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/park-chan-wook/people-who-really-try-to-be-conscious-of-what-they-have-done-who-take/) [Park Chan-wook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/park-chan-wook/) > [“Two kinds of people stay down, victims, and the dead. Two kinds of people get back up, heroes, and fools.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody-edward-lee-miller/two-kinds-of-people-stay-down-victims-and-the-dead-two-kinds-of/) [Cody Edward Lee Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cody-edward-lee-miller/) > [“It’s hard when you lose someone. I’ve had it happen. It changes your world, everything, but it doesn’t change who you are. People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-flinn/it-s-hard-when-you-lose-someone-i-ve-had-it-happen-it-changes-your/) [Alex Flinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-flinn/) ## More by Veronica Roth > [How strange that something so simple could have been instrumental in my decision to ruin one of my most relationships and friendships, and damage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/how-strange-that-something-so-simple-could-have-been-instrumental-in/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“I was beginning to feel that I had finally found a place to stay, a place that was not so unstable or corrupt or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-was-beginning-to-feel-that-i-had-finally-found-a-place-to-stay-a/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“He acts so tough that he’s probably afraid of marshmallows and really bright sunrises or something. Overcompensating.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/he-acts-so-tough-that-he-s-probably-afraid-of-marshmallows-and-really/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [And is it selfish of me to crave victory, or is it brave?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/and-is-it-selfish-of-me-to-crave-victory-or-is-it-brave/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [You always look like someone's sucked the life right out of you when something fascinates you. -Tris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/you-always-look-like-someone-s-sucked-the-life-right-out-of-you-when/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“We can be mended. We mend each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/we-can-be-mended-we-mend-each-other/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Don’t worry about me handling the pain," I say. "I’ve had a lot of practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/don-t-worry-about-me-handling-the-pain-i-say-i-ve-had-a-lot-of/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Soon I will honor my parents by dying as they died. and if all they believed about death was true, soon I will join…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/soon-i-will-honor-my-parents-by-dying-as-they-died-and-if-all-they/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“Mas lembre-se, já agora, que por vezes as pessoas que oprimimos tornam-se mais poderosas do que nós gostaríamos.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/mas-lembre-se-j-agora-que-por-vezes-as-pessoas-que-oprimimos-tornam/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“am aware of how little space there is between us—six inches at most. That space feels charged with electricity. I feel like it should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/am-aware-of-how-little-space-there-is-between-us-six-inches-at-most/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“Oh, good,” I say, a sour taste in my mouth. “Heroism is what I was focused on. Not, you know, trying not to die.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/oh-good-i-say-a-sour-taste-in-my-mouth-heroism-is-what-i-was-focused/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“Caleb frowns at him. "How old are you, anyway?" "Eighteen." "And you don't think you're too old to be with my little sister?" Tobias…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/caleb-frowns-at-him-how-old-are-you-anyway-eighteen-and-you-don-t/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [What do you think they're going to do to us when they find us guilty?" she says after a few minutes of silence have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/what-do-you-think-they-re-going-to-do-to-us-when-they-find-us-guilty/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“La paz está restringida, eso es libertad”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/la-paz-est-restringida-eso-es-libertad/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [In some parts of the ancient world, the hawk symbolized the sun. Back when I got this, I figured if I always had the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/in-some-parts-of-the-ancient-world-the-hawk-symbolized-the-sun-back/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) [Explore all 1,589 Veronica Roth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) ## More Dead people quotes > [“Although it may appear as though there have been many miracles in the world, a true miracle has never come to pass. A true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woo-myung/although-it-may-appear-as-though-there-have-been-many-miracles-in-the/) [Woo Myung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woo-myung/) > [“I need to ask, are you afraid of spiders?" Nicholas blinked, suddenly caught off guard, "Yes, I'm afraid of spiders." "Were you always?" "What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-m-irwin/i-need-to-ask-are-you-afraid-of-spiders-nicholas-blinked-suddenly/) [Stephen M. Irwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-m-irwin/) > [“I heard you in the other room asking your mother, 'Mama, am I a Palestinian?' When she answered 'Yes' a heavy silence fell on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ghassan-kanafani/i-heard-you-in-the-other-room-asking-your-mother-mama-am-i-a/) [Ghassan Kanafani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ghassan-kanafani/) > [“Well, I don't know, Lina. But let's just say I've met a lot of dead people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruta-sepetys/well-i-don-t-know-lina-but-let-s-just-say-i-ve-met-a-lot-of-dead/) [Ruta Sepetys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruta-sepetys/) > [Of course I want to kill you," said Skulduggery. "I want to kill most people. But then where would I be? In a field…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/of-course-i-want-to-kill-you-said-skulduggery-i-want-to-kill-most/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“what would happen if she'd open her eyes and see only dark and feel satin from the coffin? That'd scare her enough to kill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-mae-brown/what-would-happen-if-she-d-open-her-eyes-and-see-only-dark-and-feel/) [Rita Mae Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-mae-brown/) > [“A body can't be too partic'lar how they talk 'bout these-yer dead people, Tom.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/a-body-can-t-be-too-partic-lar-how-they-talk-bout-these-yer-dead/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [The only thing that can be expected from the next US president is more war, more murder, and more oppression of the gullible American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-craig-roberts/the-only-thing-that-can-be-expected-from-the-next-us-president-is/) [Paul Craig Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-craig-roberts/) > [“The letter said that they were two feet high, and green, and shaped like plumber's friends. Their suction cups were on the ground, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/the-letter-said-that-they-were-two-feet-high-and-green-and-shaped/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [“When those who name dead people have gone, there just remains the calmness of foreign cemeteries, in which nothing appears familiar and nothing frightens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-loriga/when-those-who-name-dead-people-have-gone-there-just-remains-the/) [Ray Loriga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-loriga/) > [You totally need to watch the news." "Can't." "Why?" "It's too depressing." "Right, because hanging with dead people isn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darynda-jones/you-totally-need-to-watch-the-news-can-t-why-it-s-too-depressing/) [Darynda Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darynda-jones/) > [“she was opposed to books on strict moral grounds, since she had heard that many of them were written by dead people and therefore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/she-was-opposed-to-books-on-strict-moral-grounds-since-she-had-heard/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [One thing about dead people, they're all the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-starkweather/one-thing-about-dead-people-they-re-all-the-same/) [Charles Starkweather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-starkweather/) > [I should write a book. I've always wanted to write a book. I should write a book about kids who see dead people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-noory/i-should-write-a-book-i-ve-always-wanted-to-write-a-book-i-should/) [George Noory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-noory/) > [Dolls are like small dead people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-roberts/dolls-are-like-small-dead-people/) [Nora Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-roberts/) [Browse all 339 Dead people quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dead-people/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Dead people can be our heroes because they can't disappoint us later; they only improve over time, as we forget more and more about them.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Veronica Roth" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/dead-people-can-be-our-heroes-because-they-can-t-disappoint-us-later/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dead people" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/dead-people-can-be-our-heroes-because-they-can-t-disappoint-us-later/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/veronica-roth-66_dead-people_dead-people-can-be-our-heroes-because-th_756850.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/veronica-roth-66_dead-people_dead-people-can-be-our-heroes-because-th_756850.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/veronica-roth-66_dead-people_dead-people-can-be-our-heroes-because-th_756850.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Dead people can be our heroes because they can't disappoint us later; they only improve over time, as we…” — Veronica Roth", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Veronica Roth", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Dead people can be our heroes...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/dead-people-can-be-our-heroes-because-they-can-t-disappoint-us-later/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/dead-people-can-be-our-heroes-because-they-can-t-disappoint-us-later/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```