--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Maybe Dauntless was formed with good…" description: "\"Maybe Dauntless was formed with good intentions, with the right ideals and the right goals. But it has strayed far from them. And the same is true of E..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a84/veronica-roth-66_dauntless_maybe-dauntless-was-formed-with-good-int_2767850.png" --- # Maybe Dauntless was formed with good intentions, with the… ![“Maybe Dauntless was formed with good intentions, with the right ideals and the right goals. But it has strayed far from them. And the same is true of Erudite, I realize. A long time ago, Erudite pursued knowledge and ingenuity for the sake of doing good. Now they pursue knowledge and ingenuity…” quote by Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a84/veronica-roth-66_dauntless_maybe-dauntless-was-formed-with-good-int_2767850.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a84/veronica-roth-66_dauntless_maybe-dauntless-was-formed-with-good-int_2767850.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a84/veronica-roth-66_dauntless_maybe-dauntless-was-formed-with-good-int_2767850.png) > “Maybe Dauntless was formed with good intentions, with the right ideals and the right goals. But it has strayed far from them. And the same is true of Erudite, I realize. A long time ago, Erudite pursued knowledge and ingenuity for the sake of doing good. Now they pursue knowledge and ingenuity with greedy hearts. I wonder if the other factions suffer from the same problem. I have not thought about it before.” [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. Idealistic groups often start with noble goals but can become corrupted by power and greed. **In simple terms:** Good intentions can be lost over time. Key Takeaway Watch for drift from original values. Themes politics ethics power corruption group dynamics Mood cautious reflective Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - leadership - policy making - social movements - organizational change Key Concepts Idealism corruption institutional decay Questions to Reflect On - How do groups preserve original values? - What safeguards prevent mission drift? A Different Perspective Idealism may clash with real-world incentives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dauntless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dauntless/) [Dauntless Formed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dauntless-formed-3219793/) [Doing good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-good/) [Erudite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/erudite/) [Erudite Pursued](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/erudite-pursued-3219792/) [Erudite Realize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/erudite-realize-3219795/) [Factions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/factions/) [Factions Suffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/factions-suffer-3219794/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Good intentions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-intentions/) [Greedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greedy/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Ideals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideals/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Ingenuity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ingenuity/) [Intention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intention/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Long time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-time/) [Long time ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-time-ago/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Pursue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursue/) [Pursued](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursued/) [Realizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realizing/) [Sake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sake/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonder/) ## Related quotes > [“Maybe Dauntless was formed with good intentions, with the right ideals and the right goals. But it has strayed far from them. And the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/maybe-dauntless-was-formed-with-good-intentions-with-the-right-ideals-2/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Those who blamed aggression formed Amity.’… ‘Those who blamed ignorance became the Erudite.’… ‘Those who blamed duplicity created Candor.’… ‘Those who blamed selfishness made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/those-who-blamed-aggression-formed-amity-those-who-blamed-ignorance/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Tris: Wait. So you have no idea what my aptitude is? Tori: Yes and No. My conclusion is that you display equal aptitude for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/tris-wait-so-you-have-no-idea-what-my-aptitude-is-tori-yes-and-no-my/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [This is how we came by our factions: Candor, Erudite, Amity, Abnegation and Dauntless." Max smiles. "In them we find administrators and teachers and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/this-is-how-we-came-by-our-factions-candor-erudite-amity-abnegation/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Abnegation produces deeply serious people. People who automatically see things like need,” he says. “I’ve noticed that when people switch to Dauntless, it creates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/abnegation-produces-deeply-serious-people-people-who-automatically/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [And he’s right to say that every faction loses something when it gains a virtue: the Dauntless, brave but cruel; the Erudite, intelligent but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/and-he-s-right-to-say-that-every-faction-loses-something-when-it/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“Dauntless is the cruelest of the five They tear each other to pieces . . . . Erudite is the coldest of the five…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/dauntless-is-the-cruelest-of-the-five-they-tear-each-other-to-pieces/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [But now I’m wondering if I need it anymore, if we ever really need these words, “Dauntless,” “Erudite,” “Divergent,” “Allegiant,” or if we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/but-now-i-m-wondering-if-i-need-it-anymore-if-we-ever-really-need/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Arrogance is one of the flaws in the Erudite heart -- I know. It is often in mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/arrogance-is-one-of-the-flaws-in-the-erudite-heart-i-know-it-is-often/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Grabbing hold of facts in the midst of shock is very Erudite of him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/grabbing-hold-of-facts-in-the-midst-of-shock-is-very-erudite-of-him/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“The ability to think isn't exclusive to erudite”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/the-ability-to-think-isn-t-exclusive-to-erudite/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [I also don't believe that whatever come after life depends on my correctly reciting a list of my transgressions-that sounds too much like an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-also-don-t-believe-that-whatever-come-after-life-depends-on-my/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [I knew by the way he looked at her that he held her in a higher regard than he held even himself. No selfishness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-knew-by-the-way-he-looked-at-her-that-he-held-her-in-a-higher/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [I also wanted to ask you if we can talk to the Erudite you're keeping safe here," I say. "I know they're hidden, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-also-wanted-to-ask-you-if-we-can-talk-to-the-erudite-you-re-keeping/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [I have a message for the Divergent" I am Divergent. "This is not a negotiation" No, it is not. "It is a warning" I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-have-a-message-for-the-divergent-i-am-divergent-this-is-not-a/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) ## 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 Dauntless quotes > [Most men fail, not through lack of education or agreeable personal qualities, but from lack of dogged determination, from lack of dauntless will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orison-swett-marden/most-men-fail-not-through-lack-of-education-or-agreeable-personal/) [Orison Swett Marden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orison-swett-marden/) > [Courageous? Courageous would have been admitting weakness and leaving Dauntless, no matter what shame accompanied it. Pride is what killed Al, and it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/courageous-courageous-would-have-been-admitting-weakness-and-leaving/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [I think I speak for everyone," he says, "when I say you have earned the title of Dauntless".](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-think-i-speak-for-everyone-he-says-when-i-say-you-have-earned-the/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [And he’s right to say that every faction loses something when it gains a virtue: the Dauntless, brave but cruel; the Erudite, intelligent but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/and-he-s-right-to-say-that-every-faction-loses-something-when-it/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [I am wearing a gray shirt, blue jeans, black shoes--new clothes, but beneath them, my Dauntless tattoos. It is impossible to erase my choices.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-am-wearing-a-gray-shirt-blue-jeans-black-shoes-new-clothes-but/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“Intentions are the only thing they care about. They try to make you think they care about what you do, but they don't. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/intentions-are-the-only-thing-they-care-about-they-try-to-make-you/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“I have realized that part of being Dauntless is being willing to make things more difficult for yourself in order to be self-sufficient. There's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-have-realized-that-part-of-being-dauntless-is-being-willing-to-make/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [But now I’m wondering if I need it anymore, if we ever really need these words, “Dauntless,” “Erudite,” “Divergent,” “Allegiant,” or if we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/but-now-i-m-wondering-if-i-need-it-anymore-if-we-ever-really-need/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“We're sorry for frightening you, Tris,' another voice says, 'but anonymity is integral to our operation. We mean you no harm.' 'Let go of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/we-re-sorry-for-frightening-you-tris-another-voice-says-but-anonymity/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [A chasm reminds us that there is a fine line between bravery and idiocy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/a-chasm-reminds-us-that-there-is-a-fine-line-between-bravery-and/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [I didn't realize until that moment that Dauntless initiation had taught me an important lesson: how to keep going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-didn-t-realize-until-that-moment-that-dauntless-initiation-had/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [If you are really one of us, it won't matter to you that you might fail. And if it does, you are a coward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/if-you-are-really-one-of-us-it-won-t-matter-to-you-that-you-might/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [I don't know if you know this," Tobias says, "but Edward is a little unstable." "I'm getting that," I say. "That Drew guy who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-don-t-know-if-you-know-this-tobias-says-but-edward-is-a-little/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another.” -Divergent”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/we-believe-in-ordinary-acts-of-bravery-in-the-courage-that-drives-one/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“God has given us the Spirit of boldness, so that even in the wilderness, we can be dauntless.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gift-gugu-mona/god-has-given-us-the-spirit-of-boldness-so-that-even-in-the/) [Gift Gugu Mona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gift-gugu-mona/) [Browse all 120 Dauntless quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dauntless/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Maybe Dauntless was formed with good intentions, with the right ideals and the right goals. 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