--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I chose them not because they are…" description: "\"“I chose them not because they are perfect, but because they are alive, because they are free”\" — Veronica Roth" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/veronica-roth-66_chose_i-chose-them-not-because-they-are-perfec_3182492.png" --- # I chose them not because they are perfect, but because… ![“I chose them not because they are perfect, but because they are alive, because they are free” quote by Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/veronica-roth-66_chose_i-chose-them-not-because-they-are-perfec_3182492.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/veronica-roth-66_chose_i-chose-them-not-because-they-are-perfec_3182492.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/veronica-roth-66_chose_i-chose-them-not-because-they-are-perfec_3182492.png) > ““I chose them not because they are perfect, but because they are alive, because they are free”” [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. Choosing imperfect, living, free entities over perfect but constrained ones highlights the value of authenticity and autonomy. **In simple terms:** Freedom and life outweigh perfection. Key Takeaway Embrace imperfect freedom. Themes freedom choice authenticity Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - relationships - career paths - creative projects Key Concepts existentialism personal agency humanism Questions to Reflect On - What does “alive” mean to you? - When have you chosen freedom over perfection? A Different Perspective Perfection can be limiting and less fulfilling. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) ## Related quotes > [It reminds me why I chose Dauntless in the first place: not because they are perfect, but because they are alive. Because they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/it-reminds-me-why-i-chose-dauntless-in-the-first-place-not-because/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“remind me why I chose Dauntless in the first place: not because they are perfect, but because they are alive. Because they are free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/remind-me-why-i-chose-dauntless-in-the-first-place-not-because-they/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“I chose Dauntless in the first place: not because they are perfect, but because they are alive. Because they are free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-chose-dauntless-in-the-first-place-not-because-they-are-perfect-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Be a perfect flow of energy in whatever you chose to do. This is perfect action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/be-a-perfect-flow-of-energy-in-whatever-you-chose-to-do-this-is/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“I chose Dauntless not because they are perfect, but because they are alive, they are free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-chose-dauntless-not-because-they-are-perfect-but-because-they-are/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“I decide to keep the shirt to remind me why I chose Dauntless in the first place: not because they are perfect, but because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-decide-to-keep-the-shirt-to-remind-me-why-i-chose-dauntless-in-the/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [For the first time in my life, alive, free. You were the missing piece of my soul, the breath in my lungs, the blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unkown/for-the-first-time-in-my-life-alive-free-you-were-the-missing-piece/) Unkown > [Struggle is what it means to be alive and free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-budbill/struggle-is-what-it-means-to-be-alive-and-free/) David Budbill > [“I can’t live in a world where she is not in my life, it’s not even an option. She told me that she doesn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-j-harvey/i-can-t-live-in-a-world-where-she-is-not-in-my-life-it-s-not-even-an/) [B.J. Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-j-harvey/) > [“you chose us, now we get to choose you”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/you-chose-us-now-we-get-to-choose-you/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“This is what I chose. This is it." I look over Robert's shoulder. The Dauntless guards seem to have finished examining the truck. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/this-is-what-i-chose-this-is-it-i-look-over-robert-s-shoulder-the/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [When it was availed to me that I had free time, I chose to go to cooking school every day, six hours a day,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teri-hatcher/when-it-was-availed-to-me-that-i-had-free-time-i-chose-to-go-to/) [Teri Hatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teri-hatcher/) > [“Everyone have the free willing to chose which kind of life he wanna live, to be remembered or forgotten”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/el-hachemi-sabi/everyone-have-the-free-willing-to-chose-which-kind-of-life-he-wanna/) El hachemi Sabi > [I free slaves because I believe we are all created equal. I just can't think of anything that has a higher purpose than putting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-williams/i-free-slaves-because-i-believe-we-are-all-created-equal-i-just-can-t/) [Virginia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-williams/) > [If you love anything set it free unless it is a tiger..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kshitij-roshan/if-you-love-anything-set-it-free-unless-it-is-a-tiger/) [Kshitij Roshan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kshitij-roshan/) ## 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 Chose quotes > [“None of us can chose where we will love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-kay/none-of-us-can-chose-where-we-will-love/) [Susan Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-kay/) > [I just decided to take some time off. I've been modeling since '93, '92, and that's a pretty long time. I'm a single mother…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-murphy/i-just-decided-to-take-some-time-off-i-ve-been-modeling-since-93-92/) [Carolyn Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-murphy/) > [“i chose not to run”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/i-chose-not-to-run/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) > [I saw Islam as the correct way to live, and I chose to try to live that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kareem-abdul-jabbar/i-saw-islam-as-the-correct-way-to-live-and-i-chose-to-try-to-live/) [Kareem Abdul-Jabbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kareem-abdul-jabbar/) > [I chose Juventus for their winning mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wojciech-szczesny/i-chose-juventus-for-their-winning-mindset/) [Wojciech Szczesny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wojciech-szczesny/) > [Perhaps God chose me to be an atheist?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-vaughan/perhaps-god-chose-me-to-be-an-atheist/) [Bill Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-vaughan/) > [“Everyone have the free willing to chose which kind of life he wanna live, to be remembered or forgotten”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/el-hachemi-sabi/everyone-have-the-free-willing-to-chose-which-kind-of-life-he-wanna/) El hachemi Sabi > [“You can survive alone, or you can \*live\* together. I know which option William would chose—has chosen,” he said, shaking me as if he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-williams/you-can-survive-alone-or-you-can-live-together-i-know-which-option/) [Nicole Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-williams/) > [I chose deliberately for Harry Bosch to age chronologically with the books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-connelly/i-chose-deliberately-for-harry-bosch-to-age-chronologically-with-the/) [Michael Connelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-connelly/) > [God chose what is weakest in the world to shame the strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-eagleton/god-chose-what-is-weakest-in-the-world-to-shame-the-strong/) [Terry Eagleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-eagleton/) > [Chose the niche that you enjoy, where you can excel and stand a chance of becoming and acknowledged leader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-koch/chose-the-niche-that-you-enjoy-where-you-can-excel-and-stand-a-chance/) [Richard Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-koch/) > [If you chose to be an actor, if you take that baton and say 'OK, this is what I want to do with my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-whannell/if-you-chose-to-be-an-actor-if-you-take-that-baton-and-say-ok-this-is/) [Leigh Whannell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-whannell/) > [What if I couldn't handle people's opinions of me? I know that shouldn't dictate a person's degree of peace or happiness in life, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-evans/what-if-i-couldn-t-handle-people-s-opinions-of-me-i-know-that-shouldn/) [Chris Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-evans/) > [You chose to give away your love. You chose to have a broken heart. You chose to give up. You chose to hang on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-chose-to-give-away-your-love-you-chose-to-have-a-broken-heart-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I chose to be a working wife and mother. Why should I compromise on either?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanda-kochhar/i-chose-to-be-a-working-wife-and-mother-why-should-i-compromise-on/) [Chanda Kochhar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanda-kochhar/) Browse all 504 Chose quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I chose them not because they are perfect, but because they are alive, because they are free”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Veronica Roth" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-chose-them-not-because-they-are-perfect-but-because-they-are-alive/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Chose" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-chose-them-not-because-they-are-perfect-but-because-they-are-alive/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/veronica-roth-66_chose_i-chose-them-not-because-they-are-perfec_3182492.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/veronica-roth-66_chose_i-chose-them-not-because-they-are-perfec_3182492.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/veronica-roth-66_chose_i-chose-them-not-because-they-are-perfec_3182492.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I chose them not because they are perfect, but because they are alive, because they are free” — 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": "“I chose them not because they...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-chose-them-not-because-they-are-perfect-but-because-they-are-alive/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-chose-them-not-because-they-are-perfect-but-because-they-are-alive/#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 } } ] } ```