80 Brené Brown Quotes That Will Change Your Perspective

Have you ever felt like you’re the only one struggling? 

Brené Brown knows these feelings well. She gets right to the heart of what we’re going through. The messy stuff. The real stuff. The things nobody talks about at dinner parties.

These aren’t your usual feel-good quotes. No empty “just smile” advice here. They come from someone who’s been there. 

Want some honest talk about courage? About belonging? About being enough?

These words might flip how you see yourself. They show us that strong people aren’t afraid to say, “I’m still learning.” Just like you. Just like all of us.

What Makes Brené Brown’s Words So Powerful

Brown says what we can’t. She gets us. Her words stick because they’re real.

Think about the last time you felt not good enough. Or when you were scared to be yourself. Brown tackles these moments head-on. She turns them into lessons we can use.

Her power lies in mixing truth with research. She’s spent years hearing stories from people just like you and me. Real stories. Hard stories. Success stories.

When Brown talks about fear or shame, she’s not guessing. She knows. She’s studied it. More than that, she’s lived it. That’s why her words hit home.

Each quote here packs a punch. Get ready to see yourself – and your struggles – in a new light.

Quotes on Vulnerability

1. “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.”
2. “Vulnerability is not about winning, it’s about showing up.”
3. “Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.”
4. “Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.”
5. “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”
6. “You can’t numb the hard feelings without numbing the good ones.”
7. “When we deny our stories, they define us. When we own our stories, we get to write a brave new ending.”
8. “Vulnerability is not about winning or losing. It’s about showing up and being seen.”
9. “The willingness to be vulnerable is the key to creating a life of joy, connection, and belonging.”
10. “To be courageous is to be vulnerable, and to be vulnerable is to be open to connection.”

Quotes on Shame & Perfectionism

11. “Shame is the most powerful, master emotion. It’s the feeling that we are not good enough.”
12. “Shame is the fear of disconnection.”
13. “We live in a world where we are always looking for the quick fix, the fast route, but shame doesn’t have a quick fix.”
14. “Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.”
15. “You can’t practice compassion with other people if you can’t treat yourself kindly.”
16. “Perfectionism is not the same thing as striving to be your best. Perfectionism is, at its core, about trying to earn approval.”
17. “The most powerful thing you can do is to have the courage to be imperfect.”
18. “Perfectionism is a shield that keeps us from being vulnerable and showing up in the world as we are.”
19. “Shame is the fear of disconnection. It’s the fear that we’re not worthy of love and belonging.”
20. “Perfectionism doesn’t change the outcome; it just leaves you feeling exhausted.”

Quotes on Courage & Leadership

21. “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to take action despite the fear.”
22. “Daring greatly means the courage to be vulnerable.”
23. “The willingness to show up changes us. It makes us a little braver each time.”
24. “True leadership is not about having all the answers, but about having the courage to ask the right questions.”
25. “Leadership is about learning and growing in a way that can make the world a little better.”
26. “Courage is the willingness to be afraid and act anyway.”
27. “Leaders who are willing to embrace vulnerability create a space for others to do the same.”
28. “Courage is not about being fearless; it’s about taking action despite the fear.”
29. “Leadership is not about being in control, it’s about being able to inspire and guide others through uncertainty.”
30. “A leader who is not vulnerable cannot inspire vulnerability in others.”

Quotes on Connection & Belonging

31. “Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.”
32. “Empathy fuels connection; sympathy drives disconnection.”
33. “Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection.”
34. “The ability to have tough conversations is a skill. It’s the ability to hold hands with uncertainty and fear.”
35. “We are imperfect, and we’re wired for struggle, but we are also worthy of love and belonging.”
36. “True belonging is not something we achieve or accomplish. It’s something we create.”
37. “I don’t have to be perfect to be worthy of love and belonging.”
38. “You can’t truly belong until you stop pretending to be someone you’re not.”
39. “We need to feel that we belong, but we also need to allow others to be different.”
40. “Belonging is not about being perfect; it’s about being real.”

Quotes on Self-Worth & Growth

41. “You are enough, just as you are.”
42. “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we’ll ever do.”
43. “We are imperfect, and we’re wired for struggle, but we are also worthy of love and belonging.”
44. “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is to love and be loved in return.”
45. “To choose courage over comfort is to choose to be vulnerable.”
46. “Self-worth comes from being able to embrace your imperfection and showing up authentically.”
47. “The path to wholehearted living is through embracing your flaws and loving yourself anyway.”
48. “It’s not the perfection that defines us, but our willingness to show up and be seen.”
49. “Loving ourselves through our imperfections is one of the bravest acts we can do.”
50. “You are worthy of love and belonging no matter what you’ve done or what you’ve been through.”

Quotes on Fear & Bravery

51. “You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you.”
52. “Bravery is not the absence of fear but the willingness to face it.”
53. “Fear of disconnection is one of the greatest fears we face.”
54. “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to face fear and take action anyway.”
55. “Fear and uncertainty are not signs that we should stop. They are signs that we are moving in the right direction.”
56. “Bravery is the willingness to show up and be seen when you can’t control the outcome.”
57. “Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth.”
58. “Fear is a sign that we are getting ready to grow.”
59. “Bravery is being yourself when the world tells you to be something else.”
60. “Being brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared. It means you are scared, but you hang in there anyway.”

Quotes on Authenticity

61. “Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.”
62. “Being authentic means being brave enough to show your true self to the world.”
63. “Being authentic is about embracing vulnerability and accepting imperfections.”
64. “The world would be a better place if we were all more authentic.”
65. “You can’t be authentic if you’re afraid to be vulnerable.”
66. “Authenticity is about embracing who you really are and not apologizing for it.”
67. “Authenticity means you’re willing to be seen and heard.”
68. “We cannot practice compassion with other people if we cannot treat ourselves kindly.”
69. “To be authentic is to be true to yourself, regardless of what others think.”
70. “If you’re not true to yourself, you’re not going to be able to form meaningful connections.”

Quotes on Self-Compassion & Empathy

71. “We cannot practice compassion with other people if we cannot treat ourselves kindly.”
72. “Empathy is not connecting to an experience; it’s connecting to the emotions that underpin an experience.”
73. “Empathy is a choice, and it’s a vulnerable choice. In order to connect with you, I have to connect with something in myself that knows that feeling.”
74. “When we practice loving-kindness and compassion, we are the first ones to benefit.”
75. “Empathy is feeling with people.”
76. “Self-compassion is giving yourself the same kindness you’d give to others.”
77. “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.”
78. “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is to love and be loved in return.”
79. “The most profound thing we can do for our own mental health is to practice self-compassion.”
80. “Empathy fuels connection, sympathy drives disconnection.”

Make These Words Your Own

Have you noticed how some quotes hit differently when you need them most?

That’s what makes Brené Brown’s wisdom special. Each line speaks to real moments in our lives.

Think of them as friendly nudges toward being more you – messy, real, and enough. Take these quotes with you. Save them. Share them. Let them sink in during your hard moments. Use them when you need courage.

Ready to make these words work for you?

Bookmark this page. Come back when you need a dose of real talk. Because sometimes, the right words can make all the difference.