Brené Brown, a renowned researcher, storyteller, and author who is known to uplift and encourage people around the world. If you’ve ever read a book by Brené Brown, you know that her words are incredibly powerful and inspiring. Once you read one of her books, or listen to one of her talks, you just want to hear more. If you haven’t had a chance to read her works, we’ve compiled an excellent list of Brené Brown quotes about courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy, and more. 

40 Inspirational Brené Brown Quotes That Will Change the Way You Think

Brené Brown Quotes About Vulnerability and Courage

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.” – Brené Brown

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”– Brené Brown

“Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection.”– Brené Brown

“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.” – Brené Brown

“Owning our story can be hard, but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it.” – Brené Brown

“The willingness to show up changes us. It makes us a little braver each time.” – Brené Brown

“You can’t get to courage without walking through vulnerability.” – Brené Brown

“To love someone fiercely, to believe in something with your whole heart, to celebrate a fleeting moment in time, to fully engage in a life that doesn’t come with guarantees—these are risks that involve vulnerability and often pain. But I’m learning that recognizing and leaning into the discomfort of vulnerability teaches us how to live with joy, gratitude, and grace.” – Brené Brown

Brené Brown Quotes About Shame and Empathy

“Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.” – Brené Brown

“If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can’t survive.” – Brené Brown

“Empathy is not connecting to an experience. It’s connecting to the emotions that underpin an experience.” – Brené Brown

“We don’t have to do all of it alone. We were never meant to.” – Brené Brown

“Shame is the most powerful, master emotion. It’s the fear that we’re not good enough.” – Brené Brown

“Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.” – 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

Brené Brown Quotes About Connection and Belonging

“When we deny the story, it defines us. When we own the story, we can write a brave new ending.” – Brené Brown

“True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.” – Brené Brown

“We are hardwired for connection, curiosity, and engagement.” – Brené Brown

“Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” – Brené Brown

“You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.” – Brené Brown

“Belonging starts with self-acceptance.” – Brené Brown

“Fitting in is about assessing a situation and becoming who you need to be to be accepted. Belonging, on the other hand, doesn’t require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are.” – Brené Brown

Brené Brown Quotes About Leadership and Resilience

“Daring leaders work to make sure people can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging.” – Brené Brown

“Leadership is not about titles or the corner office. It’s about the willingness to step up, put yourself out there, and lean into courage.” – Brené Brown

“We need to trust to be vulnerable, and we need to be vulnerable in order to build trust.” – Brené Brown

“Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.” – Brené Brown

“Leaders must either invest a reasonable amount of time attending to fears and feelings or squander an unreasonable amount of time trying to manage ineffective and unproductive behavior.” – Brené Brown

Brené Brown Quotes About Gratitude and Joy

“Practicing gratitude is how we acknowledge that there’s enough and that we’re enough.” – Brené Brown

“We’re a nation hungry for more joy, because we’re starving from a lack of gratitude.” – Brené Brown

“Joy comes to us in moments—ordinary moments. We risk missing out on joy when we get too busy chasing down the extraordinary.” – Brené Brown

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” – Brené Brown

Brené Brown Quotes About Fear and Growth

“When we numb the dark, we numb the light.” – Brené Brown

“We can choose courage or we can choose comfort, but we can’t have both. Not at the same time.” – Brené Brown

“We are the most in-debt, obese, addicted, and medicated adult cohort in U.S. history.” – Brené Brown

“Owning our fear and being curious about it leads us to new possibilities.” – Brené Brown

Brené Brown Quotes About Authenticity

“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.” – Brené Brown

“What we know matters, but who we are matters more.” – Brené Brown

“Don’t try to win over the haters; you are not a jackass whisperer.” – Brené Brown

“Because true belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world, our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance.” – Brené Brown

“Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be; embrace who you are.” – Brené Brown

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Final Thoughts On These Inspirational Quotes By Brené Brown

These quotes offer insights into living wholeheartedly, cultivating resilience, and embracing the courage to be vulnerable; all things Brené Brown focuses on in her many books and motivational talks. We hope you found these quotes full of encouragement and inspiration. Be sure to save them for when you need a reminder of the power you have inside yourself, and share them with others who might need to hear them!