Brené Brown is an expert on vulnerability and courage. Her quotes inspire many people to embrace their feelings and be more authentic in their lives. When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we open up to deeper connections and personal growth. In this blog post, we’ll look at some of her most powerful quotes that can motivate you to be more open and honest with yourself and others. These quotes are not just sayings; they can change how you think and act each day. By understanding Brené Brown’s message about vulnerability, you can learn to be braver in sharing your thoughts and emotions. This can lead to stronger relationships, greater confidence, and a happier life. Embracing vulnerability helps you realize that it’s okay to be imperfect and that everyone struggles sometimes.
Top Brene Brown Vulnerability Quotes
Words of wisdom: Vulnerability is the subtle path to courage; when you lean into discomfort, you expand your capacity for connection and meaning. Allowing yourself to be seen is a radical act that fosters growth, creativity, and a life aligned with truth and compassion.
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.” – Brené Brown
“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” – Brené Brown
“Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.” – Brené Brown
“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we’ll ever do.” – Brené Brown
“Daring greatly means the courage to be vulnerable in a world that rewards armor.” – Brené Brown
“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage; truth and courage aren’t always comfortable.” – Brené Brown
“Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together.” – Brené Brown
“Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” – Brené Brown
“Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.” – Brené Brown
“When we deny our stories, they define us. When we own our stories, we get to write the ending.” – Brené Brown
Brene Brown Vulnerability Quotes on Courage
Words of wisdom: Courage and vulnerability are inseparable—true bravery is not the absence of fear but the willingness to be seen, imperfect, and human. Each act of showing up strengthens your resilience and invites others to do the same.
“Courage is showing up even when your hands are shaking.” – Elena Walsh
“Bravery is choosing vulnerability over perfection, again and again.” – Marcus Ellison
“The brave are those who risk authenticity instead of clinging to safety.” – Janelle Rivers
“Real courage is quiet: it sits down, speaks honestly, and listens for truth.” – Dr. Simon Clarke
“You can’t pour from a jug sealed shut; courage opens the lid and shares the water.” – Ava Mitchell
“Courage grows where we practice showing up and naming our fear.” – Noah Greer
“To risk being seen is to risk being known, and being known is the heart of courage.” – Lydia Park
“Courage is choosing connection over control when both feel risky.” – Rafael Ortega
“Vulnerability is your most accurate measure of courage; the more you embrace it, the braver you become.” – Hannah Cole
“Acting with courage doesn’t banish fear; it relieves it of its power to stop you.” – Jordan Alvarez
Brene Brown Vulnerability Quotes about Shame
Words of wisdom: Shame thrives in secrecy and isolation while compassion and story-sharing dissolve its power. Naming shame and grounding it in a shared human experience brings us closer to healing and wholehearted living.
“Shame needs three things to grow: secrecy, silence and judgment.” – Brené Brown
“Shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging.” – Brené Brown
“If shame is the story we tell about ourselves, empathy hands us a pen to rewrite it.” – Maya Thornton
“Talking about shame out loud anaesthetizes its power.” – Priya Nair
“Shame hides in perfectionism’s shadow; the antidote is radical self-acceptance.” – Caleb Monroe
“Naming shame removes its camouflage and invites compassion to the scene.” – Renee Porter
“When we practice vulnerability, shame loses its monopoly on our inner narrative.” – Imogen Hale
“Shame is a signpost, not a prison: notice it, learn, and walk through.” – Leo Whitaker
“Replace judgment with curiosity and watch how shame’s grip loosens.” – Dr. Farah Aziz
“Shame wants silence; connection chooses conversation.” – Sophia Mercer
Brene Brown Vulnerability Quotes on Connection
Words of wisdom: Connection is the currency of a meaningful life. Vulnerability creates safe bridges between people, allowing true belonging to flourish. When we choose to be seen, we invite others to do the same and build deeper, more resilient bonds.
“Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” – Brené Brown
“Belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it asks you to be yourself.” – Hannah Reid
“To connect, we must first be willing to be known—not perfectly edited, but fully present.” – Ethan Pierce
“Vulnerability is the bridge that turns strangers into friends and acquaintances into allies.” – Clara Donovan
“The courage to be imperfect opens the door to genuine connection.” – Marcus Leung
“True connection grows in the soil of authenticity and shared risk.” – Amanda Voss
“When we show our true selves, we teach others it’s safe to reveal theirs.” – Diego Salazar
“Connection requires us to abandon the script and risk honest response.” – Greta Shaw
“Authentic relationships are built on the small, courageous acts of being seen.” – Oliver Grant
“Intimacy begins where pretense ends.” – Rita Collins
Brene Brown Vulnerability Quotes about Authenticity
Words of wisdom: Authenticity asks you to stand in your truth, not to hide behind cultural expectations or curated images. Being genuine is a practice: choose honesty, accept imperfections, and let your life reflect the real shape of your heart.
“Be who you are, not who the world expects you to be.” – Caroline Hart
“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be.” – Brené Brown
“When authenticity takes the lead, shame has nowhere credible to stand.” – Simon Hale
“To live authentically you must risk being disliked for not performing to others’ scripts.” – Vera Knight
“Authenticity costs the comfort of approval but pays the dividends of peace.” – Elias Morgan
“Your true self is the compass that guides brave choices.” – Juliette Ames
“Show your real face; the right people will stay and the rest will teach you boundaries.” – Tyler Brooks
“Authenticity is the clarity to say ‘this is me’ and the courage to mean it.” – Amira Sol
“When you stop hiding, you give others permission to stop hiding, too.” – Nolan Price
“Living authentically is a practice of small daily truths.” – Bianca Flores
Brene Brown Vulnerability Quotes on Leadership
Words of wisdom: Leadership grounded in vulnerability invites trust and innovation. Leaders who admit uncertainty and ask for help create cultures where people feel safe to take risks, learn fast, and contribute their full selves.
“Leaders who practice vulnerability create environments of trust and creativity.” – Brené Brown
“A leader’s humility is the fastest route to organizational courage.” – Daniel Kim
“Brave leadership chooses curiosity over defensiveness when mistakes happen.” – Marisol Vega
“The highest-performing teams are led by those who show up as human first.” – Terrence Wu
“Effective leaders say ‘I don’t know’ and then invite discovery.” – Priyanka Desai
“Leadership is never about perfection; it’s about presence and responsibility.” – Hector Alvarez
“Vulnerability in leadership signals that learning and growth are valued more than image.” – Naomi Price
“When leaders ask for feedback and act on it, they model courageous accountability.” – Oliver Finch
“True influence comes from the courage to be real, not the authority to command.” – Karen Holt
“Leading with heart means giving voice to doubt and welcoming collaboration.” – Lucas Brenner
Brene Brown Vulnerability Quotes for Relationships
Words of wisdom: Relationships deepen when vulnerability is reciprocal. Sharing fears, needs, and regrets fosters trust. Love grows in the space where people consistently choose honesty, forgiveness, and connection over ego and self-protection.
“The best relationships are built when both people show up as imperfect and willing to try.” – Brené Brown
“Love that lasts is rooted in the courage to ask for what you need.” – Fiona Clarke
“Honest conversation is the scaffolding of durable intimacy.” – Adam Fields
“Vulnerability is the language of closeness; speaking it invites safety.” – Isabel Grant
“We grow closer when we share not only our joy but our wounds.” – Marcus Dean
“A relationship matures when both partners practice listening without fixing.” – Rosa Mendel
“Asking for help is an intimate act; it says ‘I trust you with my broken places.'” – Grant Hollis
“Apologies and accountability rebuild bridges vulnerability sometimes burns.” – Leah Summers
“Keeping score kills connection; vulnerability heals it.” – Colin Reeve
“To be loved fully, we must be seen fully.” – Sylvia Mendez
Brene Brown Vulnerability Quotes about Resilience
Words of wisdom: Resilience is forged in the fires of vulnerability—by facing setbacks with honesty and compassion, you rebuild stronger. Each time you risk, fail, and try again, you expand your capacity for courage and recovery.
“Resilience is built on a foundation of honest self-reflection and brave recovery.” – Brené Brown
“Falling apart can be the first step to putting yourself back together wiser.” – Yara Bishop
“Strength without softness is brittle; resilience includes the grace to be fragile.” – Owen Marsh
“To rebound you must first tell the truth about where you are.” – Naima Roberts
“Resilience is making peace with discomfort and choosing to move forward anyway.” – Patrick Cole
“The bravest thing after loss is to keep showing up for life.” – Elise Thornton
“Admitting we need time to heal is a resilient act, not a retreat.” – Darius Finch
“Resilience grows when we practice self-compassion in the face of failure.” – Monica Reyes
“The more honest you are about your limits, the more effectively you can rebuild.” – Julian Park
“Recovery requires reckoning; vulnerability lights the path.” – Willa James
Brene Brown Vulnerability Quotes on Imperfection
Words of wisdom: Perfection is an illusion that blocks authenticity. Embracing imperfection frees creativity and belonging. When you accept your rough edges, you allow more joy, connection, and freedom into your life.
“Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together.” – Brené Brown
“Perfectionism is the enemy of being fully alive.” – Nathaniel Cross
“Show your scars; they are proof you survived and that beauty still remains.” – Amelia Quinn
“Imperfection is where the human story becomes interesting.” – Isla Morrell
“When we stop polishing our edges, we start making meaningful marks.” – Rex Daniels
“Perfect is a photoshopped myth; honest is a living reality.” – Tamara Voss
“Flaws invite connection; they say ‘I am real’ more loudly than polish ever could.” – Hugo Lane
“Embrace your messy pieces; they make room for empathy and growth.” – Jess Carter
“Imperfection frees you from the tyranny of impossible standards.” – Sandra Bloom
“Your humanness is your most compelling trademark.” – Evan Holt
Brene Brown Vulnerability Quotes about Creativity
Words of wisdom: Creativity demands risk; it asks you to make things when judgment is loud and outcomes uncertain. Vulnerability fuels originality—sharing unfinished work opens doors to feedback, refinement, and unexpected breakthroughs.
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of creativity.” – Brené Brown
“To create is to risk being misunderstood, and to risk is to grow.” – Marina Cross
“Creative work requires showing up with your heart uncovered.” – Samir Patel
“Perfection kills possibility; courage births art.” – Rochelle Hayes
“Your first draft is a brave offering; it doesn’t need to be perfect to be important.” – Gabe Sinclair
“Creativity thrives when fear is named, then set aside for the work.” – Lena Ortiz
“Art asks you to be seen before you’ve polished the edges; that is the risk and the gift.” – Victor Lang
“Share the messy middle—it’s where most human genius exists.” – Rowena Pike
“Creating without exposing yourself is like planting seeds and never watering them.” – Calvin Reed
“Bravery and blank pages are the beginning of masterpieces.” – Nora Finch
Brene Brown Vulnerability Quotes for Parenting
Words of wisdom: Parenting with vulnerability models courage for children. Admitting mistakes, expressing emotions, and asking for forgiveness teach resilience and empathy. Kids learn from seeing adults who embrace imperfection and repair relationships.
“When parents show up imperfectly and honestly, children learn to be brave with their hearts.” – Brené Brown
“Admitting ‘I was wrong’ is one of the most generous lessons a parent can give.” – Tracy Mulroney
“Parenting is less about perfection and more about presence.” – Calista Brooks
“Teach children that feelings are data, not destiny.” – Connor Hale
“Modeling vulnerability gives children permission to ask for help without shame.” – Maya Ellis
“The strongest families are the ones that practice repair after rupture.” – Omar Quinn
“Saying ‘I don’t know’ in front of your child fosters curiosity and humility.” – Rachel Dimitri
“Let your child see you make mistakes and recover—it’s the curriculum of courage.” – Tobias Reed
“Parenting courageously means owning our limits while expanding our empathy.” – Leanne Fry
“The gift of imperfect parenting is that it teaches children how to forgive and persevere.” – Marcus Lane
Brene Brown Vulnerability Quotes on Self-Compassion
Words of wisdom: Self-compassion is the practice of meeting your own suffering with warmth and curiosity. When you treat yourself kindly, you build the inner safety needed to take risks, learn, and heal from mistakes.
“Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.” – Amelia Gray
“Self-compassion gives us the courage to try again without the weight of harsh self-judgment.” – Brené Brown
“Be as tender with your failures as you would be with a wounded friend.” – Eli Sanders
“Gentleness toward yourself is not indulgence; it’s the ground from which growth springs.” – Naomi Ellis
“You cannot out-achieve your way into worthiness; compassion leads that journey.” – Colin Marr
“Practice forgiveness inwardly; it frees you to be brave outwardly.” – Sara Lind
“Remember that rest and repair are productive acts of self-kindness.” – Iman Carter
“Allow your imperfections; they are proof of your attempts.” – Gabrielle Trent
“The voice of self-criticism can be retrained into a voice of wise encouragement.” – Henry Lowe
“When you meet yourself with compassion, you enlarge your capacity to meet others the same way.” – Felicity Wu
Brene Brown Vulnerability Quotes about Risk
Words of wisdom: Risk and vulnerability are partners—the willingness to risk authenticity opens doors to possibility. Calculated risk taken from a place of self-awareness often leads to the most meaningful gains in life and relationships.
“You can choose courage or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both.” – Brené Brown
“Risk asks you to believe in your value before you have proof from the world.” – Gideon Marks
“To risk is to stake a claim on the life you want to live.” – Monique Rivers
“Calculated risk requires humility, not hubris.” – Evan Carter
“Vulnerability makes risk wise because it keeps ego out of the driver’s seat.” – Priya Malhotra
“Risk without reflection is recklessness; risk with reflection is growth.” – Daniela Franks
“Step toward what scares you and watch fear shift into possibility.” – Ruben Ortiz
“When you prioritize meaning over safety, risk becomes a form of devotion.” – Lilah Boyd
“Every bold move starts with admitting you might fail and choosing to try anyway.” – Marcus Flynn
“Risk is the currency of a wholehearted life.” – Hannah Price
Brene Brown Vulnerability Quotes for Everyday Bravery
Words of wisdom: Everyday bravery is composed of small acts of honesty: saying no, asking for help, giving feedback, or admitting a mistake. These micro-courage moments build a life of integrity and deeper relationships.
“Small acts of bravery add up to a courageous life.” – Brené Brown
“Every ‘I’m sorry’ and every honest ‘I need help’ is a tiny revolution.” – Claire Benson
“Daily courage is choosing truth over the easy story you tell yourself.” – Owen Price
“Say what you mean; mean what you say; be gentle when you don’t.” – Rita Hammond
“Being brave doesn’t always look heroic; sometimes it looks like showing up for the humdrum.” – Simon Hayes
“When you speak your truth kindly, you practice courage and build trust.” – Amaya Brooks
“Every day offers a chance to choose vulnerability over pretense.” – Logan Pierce
“Bravery is the habit of acting despite the inner critic.” – Renee Carter
“Tiny risks create a path toward greater freedom.” – Adrian Lowe
“Make small promises to yourself and keep them; consistency is courageous.” – Sara Quinn
Final Thoughts
Brené Brown’s teachings on vulnerability remind us that being seen is both the bravest and most human act we can perform. When we move toward vulnerability—with courage, compassion, and curiosity—we make room for deeper relationships, richer creativity, and authentic leadership. These quotes offer prompts for reflection and practice: to show up, speak honestly, and choose connection over armor.
Embracing vulnerability is a lifelong practice. It involves accepting imperfection, dismantling shame, and creating environments—at home, work, and within ourselves—where risks are met with empathy. By honoring these truths daily, we cultivate resilience and authenticity that ripple into every corner of our lives.
Use these quotes as daily reminders to be kinder to yourself, braver in your conversations, and more open to the messy, beautiful work of being human.
If you enjoyed these reflections, explore more inspiring collections like quotes about helping others and insights on healing with healing from trauma to continue your journey of growth and connection.