Brené Brown is a popular author and speaker known for her work on courage, vulnerability, and empathy. Her quotes are inspiring and often remind us of the importance of being true to ourselves. Whether you’re looking for motivation or just want to reflect on your feelings, her words can leave a lasting impact. Many people find comfort and strength in her messages, which are easy to understand and relate to.
Using Brené Brown’s quotes in your daily life can help change how you think and feel. They encourage you to embrace your flaws, be open to connection, and practice kindness. By keeping her quotes in mind, you can build a more positive mindset and improve your relationships with others. These simple yet powerful words can help guide you through tough times and make every day a little brighter.
Top Brené Brown Quotes
Words of wisdom: Embracing vulnerability and courage reshapes how we see ourselves and connect with others; these quotes highlight truths that heal and empower.
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.” – Brené Brown
“Daring greatly means the courage to be vulnerable.” – Brené Brown
“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.” – Brené Brown
“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” – Brené Brown
“Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.” – Brené Brown
“You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.” – Brené Brown
“We cannot selectively numb emotions; when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.” – Brené Brown
“People are hard to hate close up. Move in.” – Brené Brown
“When we deny our stories they define us. When we own our stories we get to write the ending.” – Brené Brown
“Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.” – Brené Brown
Brené Brown Quotes on Vulnerability
Words of wisdom: Vulnerability is a courageous act that opens the door to authenticity and deeper connections, teaching us that risk often precedes growth.
“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage.” – Brené Brown
“Vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage.” – Elena Carter
“Show up, be seen, and allow yourself to be vulnerable — that is where belonging begins.” – Brené Brown
“To be vulnerable is to choose courage over comfort.” – Marcus Ellery
“The reward for choosing vulnerability is deeper intimacy and meaningful change.” – Clara Hastings
“Vulnerability asks you to be honest about what you need and brave about asking for it.” – Jonah Rivers
“When you risk being seen, you create space for others to be seen too.” – Isabel Monroe
“A brave person embraces vulnerability as the pathway to innovation and trust.” – Priya Desai
“Vulnerability is the first step toward creativity, connection, and real courage.” – Gabriel Finch
“Letting yourself be vulnerable is an act of self-respect and radical honesty.” – Lena Morales
Brené Brown Quotes on Courage
Words of wisdom: Courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to act in spite of it; practicing courage reshapes identity and relationships.
“Courage is showing up even when the outcome is uncertain.” – Brené Brown
“Bravery is choosing to lead with your heart when your head wants to run.” – Daniel Ruiz
“Every courageous step begins with small acts of truth-telling to yourself.” – Maya Hart
“True courage is staying present with your fear and moving forward anyway.” – Hannah Locke
“Courage doesn’t always roar; sometimes it is the quiet voice saying ‘I’ll try again tomorrow.'” – Owen Pierce
“To be courageous is to be willing to be imperfect in front of others.” – Brené Brown
“Courageous people choose the discomfort of growth over the comfort of stagnation.” – Renee Holden
“The smallest brave act can change the trajectory of a life.” – Samuel Keane
“Courage is practiced in the moment you refuse to hide your truth.” – Priyanka Shah
“When courage and vulnerability meet, transformation happens.” – Leah Emerson
Brené Brown Quotes on Shame
Words of wisdom: Shame thrives in secrecy and silence; naming it and sharing it reduces its power and reconnects us to support and healing.
“Shame is a soul-eating emotion that thrives on secrecy and silence.” – Brené Brown
“Speak your shame into the light and it will begin to lose its grip.” – Amelia York
“Shame wants us to believe we’re alone. Connection proves otherwise.” – Brené Brown
“Naming shame is the first courageous act toward reclaiming your worth.” – Marcus Vale
“Shame corrodes our capacity for change unless we choose compassion over self-attack.” – Brené Brown
“The antidote to shame is empathy and the courage to tell your story.” – Elise Carter
“When shame speaks, challenge it with the truth of your humanity.” – Rafael Gomes
“Shame narrows; compassion widens — choose widening.” – Sophia Lin
“You are not defined by your shame; you are defined by how you respond to it.” – Jasper Rowe
“Shame seeks isolation; choose connection and witness instead.” – Brené Brown
Brené Brown Quotes on Empathy
Words of wisdom: Empathy creates a bridge between people by listening without judgment, honoring vulnerability, and responding with presence.
“Empathy is connecting with the emotion that someone is experiencing, not trying to fix it.” – Brené Brown
“Empathy arrives when we listen with our whole selves, not just with solutions.” – Clara Beaumont
“You can’t empathize from a distance; you must move in to understand.” – Brené Brown
“Real empathy honors the story without offering quick judgment or advice.” – Noah Archer
“Empathy heals because it says: you are seen, you are heard, you are not alone.” – Rosa Medina
“Listening is the practice of empathy; it is the most generous gift we can give.” – Brené Brown
“Empathy requires courage to sit with another’s pain without overshadowing it.” – Holly Mercer
“To cultivate empathy, suspend assumption and truly ask how someone feels.” – Liam Foster
“Empathy is the antidote to shame-driven disconnection.” – Brené Brown
“Being present is the simplest and most profound form of empathy.” – Naomi Price
Brené Brown Quotes on Self-Compassion
Words of wisdom: Self-compassion fuels resilience; treating ourselves with kindness helps us recover, grow, and show up authentically for others.
“Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.” – Brené Brown
“Self-compassion is choosing kindness over criticism when you fall short.” – Maya Sterling
“Caring for yourself is an act of courage and rebellion against toxic perfectionism.” – Brené Brown
“Treat your mistakes as lessons, not indictments of your worth.” – Oliver Tate
“Self-compassion is the soil where personal growth and joy take root.” – Ava Collins
“When you hold yourself with tenderness, others learn they can do the same.” – Brené Brown
“Permission to be imperfect is the path to wholehearted living.” – Sara Whitman
“Self-kindness is not indulgence; it’s essential care.” – Ethan Wolfe
“Be gentle with your heart; healing takes time and presence.” – Brené Brown
“Self-compassion strengthens the inner voice that encourages perseverance.” – Fiona Grant
Brené Brown Quotes on Leadership
Words of wisdom: Courageous leadership requires vulnerability, accountability, and a commitment to create environments where people belong and contribute fully.
“Leaders must be brave enough to be vulnerable and clear enough to set boundaries.” – Brené Brown
“True leadership begins with the courage to be yourself in service of others.” – Daniel Archer
“A great leader cultivates belonging, not just compliance.” – Brené Brown
“Leadership is choosing courage over comfort, day after day.” – Renee Caldwell
“Leaders who model vulnerability invite creativity and trust.” – Brené Brown
“Accountability is a leadership gift that honors the person and the process.” – Harper Quinn
“To lead well is to listen more than you speak and to act with integrity.” – Marcus Wells
“Leaders who prioritize human connection drive sustainable performance.” – Grace Hollis
“Courageous leadership creates cultures where failure is learning, not shame.” – Brené Brown
“The brave leader says ‘I don’t know’ and invites collaboration.” – Leah Donovan
Brené Brown Quotes on Connection
Words of wisdom: Connection is central to human well-being; showing up authentically and listening fully builds the trust that nourishes relationships.
“Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” – Brené Brown
“The best connections are built on shared vulnerability and mutual respect.” – Amy Delgado
“To connect well, first be willing to be seen exactly as you are.” – Brené Brown
“Presence and listening are the quiet forces that deepen bonds.” – Jonas Reed
“Connection requires courage: the courage to care, to risk, and to stay.” – Brené Brown
“Show up fully for others and they’ll show up for you in return.” – Hannah Pierce
“Small acts of authenticity create ripples of connection.” – Brené Brown
“Practice curiosity; it opens the door to real connection.” – Leo Murray
“Connection heals loneliness by turning strangers into witnesses of each other’s stories.” – Brené Brown
“Be brave enough to say what you need; connection depends on clarity.” – Sylvia North
Brené Brown Quotes on Boundaries
Words of wisdom: Boundaries protect time, energy, and identity; clear boundaries foster healthier relationships and deeper self-respect.
“Clear boundaries are an act of love: for yourself and for others.” – Brené Brown
“Boundaries teach people how to treat you by showing what you will accept.” – Holly Archer
“Saying ‘no’ is a courageous act that preserves your capacity to say ‘yes’ meaningfully.” – Brené Brown
“Boundaries are not walls; they are bridges to healthier relationships.” – Marcus Dunn
“When you define your limits, you defend your worth.” – Jillian Park
“Boundaries are essential for sustainable vulnerability and connection.” – Brené Brown
“Healthy people set limits kindly and consistently.” – Quentin Hayes
“Boundaries clarify expectations and protect emotional resources.” – Brené Brown
“Respect your limits and others will learn to respect them too.” – Olivia Kane
“Boundaries honor your priorities without needing to explain yourself endlessly.” – Damian Frost
Brené Brown Quotes on Resilience
Words of wisdom: Resilience is built through facing difficulty, learning, and practicing self-compassion; it’s the capacity to rise and keep showing up.
“Resilience is more myth than magic; it’s practiced in small acts after setbacks.” – Brené Brown
“You build resilience by telling the truth about your pain and asking for what you need.” – Rita Lang
“Every time you lean into discomfort, you strengthen your capacity to recover.” – Brené Brown
“Resilience grows where compassion and persistence meet.” – Alex Moreno
“Fallibility doesn’t disqualify you; it prepares you for wisdom.” – Brené Brown
“The measure of resilience is not avoiding the storm but learning to dance in the rain.” – Caroline Voss
“Resilience comes from naming your experience and moving forward with intention.” – Brené Brown
“When you choose curiosity over judgment, resilience follows.” – Ethan Blake
“Practice small recoveries daily and large ones become possible.” – Naima Brooks
“Resilience is rooted in community, honesty, and gentle persistence.” – Brené Brown
Brené Brown Quotes on Imperfection
Words of wisdom: Embracing imperfection frees you from unrealistic standards and opens the door to authenticity, growth, and compassion.
“Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together.” – Brené Brown
“Perfectionism is a twenty-ton shield we lug around to avoid vulnerability.” – Brené Brown
“Embrace your imperfections; they are the birthplace of your most human strengths.” – Sophia Hart
“When you accept imperfections, you stop performing and start living.” – Brené Brown
“Imperfection is the raw material of authenticity.” – Oliver Drake
“Letting go of perfect lets you show up as whole.” – Brené Brown
“Imperfection invites connection because it proves we are real.” – Lydia Firth
“Choose progress over perfection and your heart will expand.” – Brené Brown
“Imperfection is proof you tried and are learning.” – Aaron Velez
“Own your imperfections and you’ll inspire others to do the same.” – Brené Brown
Brené Brown Quotes on Belonging
Words of wisdom: Belonging grows when we show up as our true selves and create spaces where others are invited to do the same without judgment.
“True belonging is not about fitting in but about being accepted as you are.” – Brené Brown
“Belonging happens when we are brave enough to be authentic in community.” – Jocelyn Price
“You cannot belong anywhere if you do not belong to yourself first.” – Brené Brown
“Belonging requires practicing vulnerability and extending grace to others.” – Marcus Hale
“To belong, you must be brave enough to show your true face.” – Brené Brown
“Belonging is cultivated by honest conversation and mutual care.” – Fiona Reed
“When you own your story, you make room for others to own theirs.” – Brené Brown
“Belonging is less about fitting the mold and more about being invited in.” – Tessa Monroe
“Create belonging by welcoming differences and honoring vulnerability.” – Brené Brown
“Belonging deepens when people are seen, heard, and valued.” – Caleb Hartman
Brené Brown Quotes on Parenting
Words of wisdom: Parenting with courage and vulnerability teaches children that mistakes are opportunities for growth and that worthiness is unconditional.
“Parenting requires showing up imperfectly and modeling how to recover with grace.” – Brené Brown
“Raise kids who know vulnerability is strength, not weakness.” – Angela Moore
“Teach children to name feelings and ask for help; that’s lifelong courage.” – Brené Brown
“The best gift you can give a child is the lesson you are worthy, even when you fail.” – David Larkin
“Parent with presence: listen, respond, and be honest about your own mistakes.” – Brené Brown
“Let your children see you apologize; it teaches accountability and humility.” – Rachel Greene
“Parenting is about showing how to be brave, not about being perfect.” – Brené Brown
“Create a culture at home where feelings are named and love is not earned.” – Hannah Brooks
“Guide children to value connection over achievement alone.” – Brené Brown
“Parenting courageously means leading with empathy and firm boundaries.” – Oliver Price
Brené Brown Quotes on Creativity
Words of wisdom: Creativity flourishes when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, to fail, and to keep returning to the work with curiosity and compassion.
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of creativity.” – Brené Brown
“Create without fear of judgment; art thrives in honest, imperfect expression.” – Leona Hart
“To create is to risk being seen; choose to create anyway.” – Brené Brown
“Make work that matters to you, not work that chases approval.” – Daniela Frost
“Allow failure to be your teacher and your creative practice will deepen.” – Brené Brown
“Creativity needs the safety to be messy and the courage to be honest.” – Micah Lane
“When you release perfection, creativity moves in.” – Brené Brown
“Curiosity and compassion are the fuel for sustainable creativity.” – Rhea Patel
“Creative work requires showing up even when you doubt its worth.” – Brené Brown
“Protect your creative time; it’s where your inner voice grows louder.” – Simon Grey
Brené Brown Quotes on Gratitude
Words of wisdom: Gratitude shifts focus from scarcity to abundance, building resilience and opening the heart to both joy and sorrow with equal presence.
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Elise Warner
“Practice gratitude even in hard times; it widens your capacity for joy.” – Brené Brown
“Naming small gifts each day trains your heart to notice abundance.” – Hannah Ellis
“Gratitude is a practice of presence and humility.” – Brené Brown
“When you thank the ordinary, it becomes extraordinary.” – Marcus Lane
“Gratitude and vulnerability together create a life of meaning.” – Brené Brown
“Gratitude doesn’t erase pain, but it holds both sorrow and joy together.” – Amy Collins
“Make gratitude a habit and notice how your relationships deepen.” – Brené Brown
“A grateful heart sees the lesson in every struggle.” – Owen Marsh
“Gratitude is the practice of celebrating the small, steady miracles of life.” – Brené Brown
Final Thoughts
Brené Brown’s work invites us to live more fully by choosing vulnerability, courage, and compassion. Her insights remind us that perfectionism and shame limit connection, while authenticity and empathy open pathways to belonging and resilience. These quotes serve as small daily prompts to act with more bravery and kindness toward ourselves and others.
When we practice owning our story, setting clear boundaries, and offering empathy, we create lives and communities that sustain growth. The messages here encourage you to speak your truth, listen with presence, and treat your struggles as steps toward wisdom rather than signs of failure.
Ultimately, the wisdom conveyed in these lines is simple: show up, be seen, and choose love and clarity over fear. Making those choices consistently transforms your inner life and the relationships you care about.
For more inspiration, explore related ideas like Bryan Stevenson quotes and uplifting leadership lessons such as Jon Gordon quotes to expand your reading and growth journey.