Independent Study (The Testing, #2)

by Joelle Charbonneau

At night, however, the University has a much higher allotment of power than the rest of the city.

Thinking something is true doesn’t make it so. Perception is almost as important as reality.

The earth’s reaction to man-made warfare destroyed many buildings, but the vast majority could be repaired and used.

History says that progress often requires sacrifice, but what kind of progress can we claim when it is built on the lives of the citizens it is supposed to aid?

Only a handful of people have the ability to shape their lives and the lives of those around them.

“Those who depend fully on another person’s knowledge to decide what is possible are easily manipulated. The most effective leaders utilise experts from all fields, but rely on none when it comes to making a decision.

The larger the population, the less our leaders feel personally accountable to each citizen under their care. It makes it easier to sacrifice a few for the good of others.

“It takes a lot of courage to choose to do nothing when you aren’t certain of the outcome.

How easy it would be to let the emptiness swallow me. To find release from sadness at the bottom. To be welcomed by those I have lost and turn away from the problems I face now.

“We are currently working out resource distribution for a railway project. One of the colonies that the new train will connect to is Five Lakes. Since none of us have been to your colony or many of the other colonies this plan affects, we would like you to look at the plans and give us a colony citizen’s perspective. We’ve been told you also have skills in mechanical engineering that should give you an informed point of view when preparing a report for the president.”

History shows that it takes only a spark to start a fire that cannot be easily checked.

just because something is created by people in power doesn’t mean it is to be trusted.

A cage that cannot be seen is no less there than if the walls were made of steel.