--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Two years ago,\" she says, \"I was afraid…" description: "\"“Two years ago,\" she says, \"I was afraid of spiders, suffocation, walls that inch slowly inward and trap you between them,getting thrown out of Dauntle..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/veronica-roth-66_afraid_two-years-ago-she-says-i-was-afraid-of-s_530442.jpg" --- # Two years ago," she says, "I was afraid of spiders… ![“Two years ago," she says, "I was afraid of spiders, suffocation, walls that inch slowly inward and trap you between them,getting thrown out of Dauntless, uncontrollable bleeding, getting run over by a train, my father's death,public humiliation, and kidnapping by men without faces." Everyone…” quote by Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/veronica-roth-66_afraid_two-years-ago-she-says-i-was-afraid-of-s_530442.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/veronica-roth-66_afraid_two-years-ago-she-says-i-was-afraid-of-s_530442.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/veronica-roth-66_afraid_two-years-ago-she-says-i-was-afraid-of-s_530442.jpg) > ““Two years ago," she says, "I was afraid of spiders, suffocation, walls that inch slowly inward and trap you between them,getting thrown out of Dauntless, uncontrollable bleeding, getting run over by a train, my father's death,public humiliation, and kidnapping by men without faces." Everyone stares blankly at her. "Most of you will have anywhere from ten to fifteen years in your fear landscapes. That is the average number," she says. "What's the lowest number someone has gotten?" asks Lynn. "In recent years," says Lauren, "four." I have not looked at Tobias since we were in the cafeteria,but I can't help but look at him now. He keeps his eyes trained on the floor. I knew that four was a low number, low enough to merit a nickname,but I didn't know it was less than half the average. I glare at my feet.He's exceptional. And now he won't even look at me.”” [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. A character describes a list of intense fears and notes that most people have many such fears, while a few have far fewer, highlighting personal variation in fear intensity. **In simple terms:** People have different levels of fear; some have fewer. Key Takeaway Recognize that fear levels vary and seek support. Themes fear psychology personal growth anxiety comparison Mood reflective empathetic Type narrative dialogue When to use this quote - therapy sessions - self‑assessment - support groups - educational workshops Key Concepts trauma cognitive bias social perception Questions to Reflect On - How do you measure your own fears? - What helps reduce fear intensity? A Different Perspective Individual fear counts may not capture underlying causes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Father'S Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father-s-death/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fifteen years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fifteen-years/) ## Related quotes > [“I don't..." He gasps. "I don't really want to talk about it anymore." "Okay.Then...I can talk. Ask me something." "Okay." He laughs shakily in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-don-t-he-gasps-i-don-t-really-want-to-talk-about-it-anymore-okay/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [As a person life has always been a bit of a challenge for me and I have spent so much of my early years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-sudol/as-a-person-life-has-always-been-a-bit-of-a-challenge-for-me-and-i/) [Alison Sudol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-sudol/) > [“wealthier than living a thousand years of fear, living one day with courage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nasr/wealthier-than-living-a-thousand-years-of-fear-living-one-day-with/) Nasr > [“Never forget the blood sweat and tears The uphill struggle over years the fear and, trash talking and the people it was to, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linkin-park/never-forget-the-blood-sweat-and-tears-the-uphill-struggle-over-years/) [Linkin Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linkin-park/) > [“One word, two lips, three four five fingers form a fist. One corner, two parents, three four five reasons to hide. One child, two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/one-word-two-lips-three-four-five-fingers-form-a-fist-one-corner-two/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [“We cannot shake off three hundred years of fear in three hours.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wright/we-cannot-shake-off-three-hundred-years-of-fear-in-three-hours/) [Richard Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wright/) > [I was as afraid as the next man in my time and maybe more so. But with the years, fear had come to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/i-was-as-afraid-as-the-next-man-in-my-time-and-maybe-more-so-but-with/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [I'm working, but there is so much still to be done! And it frightens me to think of my weight of years. But on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giacomo-puccini/i-m-working-but-there-is-so-much-still-to-be-done-and-it-frightens-me/) [Giacomo Puccini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giacomo-puccini/) > [As far as what I'm afraid of, I hate spiders. I'm pretty good at being not afraid of almost anything, except for spiders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-hutcherson/as-far-as-what-i-m-afraid-of-i-hate-spiders-i-m-pretty-good-at-being/) [Josh Hutcherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-hutcherson/) > [You may be afraid of spiders but spiders are afraid of Nikes...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freshly-snipes/you-may-be-afraid-of-spiders-but-spiders-are-afraid-of-nikes/) Freshly Snipes > [I’m really afraid of spiders and my own feelings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-klausner/i-m-really-afraid-of-spiders-and-my-own-feelings/) [Julie Klausner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-klausner/) > [I promise to love you. And when I say I love you, it means Im not going to love anyone else the way I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willy-oum/i-promise-to-love-you-and-when-i-say-i-love-you-it-means-im-not-going/) Willy Oum > [Being veterinarians, we're not supposed to be afraid of any animals. And I'm afraid of spiders. They creep me out the way they move.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-fitzgerald/being-veterinarians-we-re-not-supposed-to-be-afraid-of-any-animals/) Kevin Fitzgerald > [“I'm not afraid of spiders; I've had worse in my bed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-lynn-hope/i-m-not-afraid-of-spiders-i-ve-had-worse-in-my-bed/) [Donna Lynn Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-lynn-hope/) > [“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/) ## 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 Afraid quotes > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“Carrie Fisher. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/carrie-fisher-stay-afraid-but-do-it-anyway/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [I used to be afraid of my temper, but it turns out I don't really have one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-bell/i-used-to-be-afraid-of-my-temper-but-it-turns-out-i-don-t-really-have/) [Zoe Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-bell/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I am not afraid of praise, for I have practiced it on myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-am-not-afraid-of-praise-for-i-have-practiced-it-on-myself/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I'm a pretty fearless person. I'm afraid of, like, creepy men in white vans and sidewalks with no streetlights. But I'm not afraid to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-totah/i-m-a-pretty-fearless-person-i-m-afraid-of-like-creepy-men-in-white/) [Josie Totah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-totah/) > [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/) Darlene Senger > [Why am I so afraid to loose you,when you're not even mine?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-am-i-so-afraid-to-loose-you-when-you-re-not-even-mine/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I want to tell you, but I cant, becuase I'm afraid if I do you'll never treat me same the again](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-orante/i-want-to-tell-you-but-i-cant-becuase-i-m-afraid-if-i-do-you-ll-never/) [Cristina Orante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-orante/) > [Mistakes I've made in the past make me afraid to try new things in the future. I want to be perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-altucher/mistakes-i-ve-made-in-the-past-make-me-afraid-to-try-new-things-in/) [James Altucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-altucher/) > [“Humans are naturally scared and confused beings. They not only fear the unknown, as they live fearing themselves... ☥”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-marques/humans-are-naturally-scared-and-confused-beings-they-not-only-fear/) [Luis Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-marques/) > [If you are too afraid of failure, you cant possibly do what needs to be done to succeed in living a fulfilling life. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-you-are-too-afraid-of-failure-you-cant-possibly-do-what-needs-to/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [We cannot be afraid of the dark that they live in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burnie-burns/we-cannot-be-afraid-of-the-dark-that-they-live-in/) [Burnie Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burnie-burns/) > [“I think the reason we're cruel sometimes is that we're afraid we're going to like something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/i-think-the-reason-we-re-cruel-sometimes-is-that-we-re-afraid-we-re/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [I'm still with that feeling that I am afraid of doing the wrong thing, because somebody is going to punish me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eartha-kitt/i-m-still-with-that-feeling-that-i-am-afraid-of-doing-the-wrong-thing/) [Eartha Kitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eartha-kitt/) Browse all 5,519 Afraid quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Two years ago,\" she says, \"I was afraid of spiders, suffocation, walls that inch slowly inward and trap you between them,getting thrown out of Dauntless, uncontrollable bleeding, getting run over by a train, my father's death,public humiliation, and kidnapping by men without faces.\" Everyone stares blankly at her. \"Most of you will have anywhere from ten to fifteen years in your fear landscapes. That is the average number,\" she says. \"What's the lowest number someone has gotten?\" asks Lynn. \"In recent years,\" says Lauren, \"four.\" I have not looked at Tobias since we were in the cafeteria,but I can't help but look at him now. He keeps his eyes trained on the floor. I knew that four was a low number, low enough to merit a nickname,but I didn't know it was less than half the average. I glare at my feet.He's exceptional. 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