A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all people. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don't function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart. Furthermore, we numb. Furthermore, we ache. Furthermore, we hurt others. Furthermore, we get sick.

— Brene Brown

As a shame researcher, I know that the very best thing to do in the midst of a shame attack is totally counterintuitive: Practice courage and reach out!

— Brene Brown

'Crazy-busy' is a great armor, it's a great way for numbing. What a lot of us do is that we stay so busy, and so out in front of our life, that the truth of how we're feeling and what we really need can't catch up with us.

— Brene Brown

Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.

— Brene Brown

Faith minus vulnerability and mystery equals extremism. If you've got all the answers, then don't call what you do 'faith.'

— Brene Brown

First and foremost, we need to be the adults we want our children to be. We should watch our own gossiping and anger. We should model the kindness we want to see.

— Brene Brown

Guilt is just as powerful, but its influence is positive, while shame's is destructive. Shame erodes our courage and fuels disengagement.

— Brene Brown

I can encourage my daughter to love her body, but what really matters are the observations she makes about my relationship with my own body.

— Brene Brown

If I feel good about my parenting, I have no interest in judging other people's choices. If I feel good about my body, I don't go around making fun of other people's weight or appearance. We're hard on each other because we're using each other as a launching pad out of our own perceived deficiency.

— Brene Brown

I hesitate to use a pathologizing label, but underneath the so-called narcissistic personality is definitely shame and the paralyzing fear of being ordinary.

— Brene Brown