15 Brené Brown Quotes That Will Remind You to Be Compassionate With Yourself

Updated on Aug 24, 2020 at 12:45 PM

Shame researcher and storyteller Brené Brown shares the messages many of us need to hear when we're struggling with shame and imperfection. She gave me the courage to be vulnerable about my struggles, which in turn has given me much deeper friendships. While I'm an avid quote reader, very few quotes touch me as much as Brown's do.

She shares these messages through her books, empowering speeches and Netflix special. She's sold over 400 million books and her Ted Talk received over 38 million views on YouTube. She's touched millions of hearts, including mine.

If you struggle with shame and wanting to be perfect, her books are for you. Ahead are 15 of the best quotes from her books that will comfort and empower you like no other, both when you feel excited and when you feel low.

The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are

From The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are:

"We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection."
"Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection."
"Perfectionism is self destructive simply because there's no such thing as perfect. Perfection is an unattainable goal."

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.

From Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.:

"The courage to be vulnerable is not about winning or losing, it's about the courage to show up when you can't predict or control the outcome."
"Only when diverse perspectives are included, respected, and valued can we start to get a full picture of the world."
"And no matter how much your self-doubt wants to scoop up the criticism and snuggle with the negativity so it can confirm its worst fears, or how eager the shame gremlins are to use the hurt to fortify your armor, take a deep breath and find the strength to leave what's mean-spirited on the ground."

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

From Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead:

"Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path."
"Nothing has transformed my life more than realizing that it's a waste of time to evaluate my worthiness by weighing the reaction of the people in the stands."
"Vulnerability is not knowing victory or defeat, it's understanding the necessity of both; it's engaging. It's being all in."

I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t)

From I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn't):

"We put so much of our time and energy into making sure that we meet everyone's expectations and into caring about what other people think of us, that we are often left feeling angry, resentful and fearful."
"The culture of shame is driven by fear, blame and disconnection, and it is often a powerful incubator for issues like perfectionism, stereotyping, gossiping and addiction."
"When you tell people their situation is only 'perception' and they can change it, you shame them, belittle them and, in the case of domestic violence, you put them in extreme physical danger. Rather than dismissing someone's experience as perception, we might want to ask, 'How can I help?' or 'Is there some way I can support you?'"

Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

From Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead:

"Compassionate people ask for what they need. They say no when they need to, and when they say yes, they mean it. They're compassionate because their boundaries keep them out of resentment."
"Just because someone isn't willing or able to love us, it doesn't mean that we are unlovable."
"Just because we didn't measure up to some standard of achievement doesn't mean that we don't possess gifts and talents that only we can bring to the world. Just because someone failed to see the value in what we can create or achieve doesn't change its worth or ours."