--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The definition of vulnerability is…" description: "\"“The definition of vulnerability is uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. But vulnerability is not weakness; it's our most accurate measure of cou..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b0/bren-brown-280_courage_the-definition-of-vulnerability-is-uncer_1184414.jpg" --- # The definition of vulnerability is uncertainty, risk, and… ![“The definition of vulnerability is uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. But vulnerability is not weakness; it's our most accurate measure of courage. When the barrier is our belief about vulnerability, the question becomes: 'Are we willing to show up and be seen when we can't control the…” quote by Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b0/bren-brown-280_courage_the-definition-of-vulnerability-is-uncer_1184414.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b0/bren-brown-280_courage_the-definition-of-vulnerability-is-uncer_1184414.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b0/bren-brown-280_courage_the-definition-of-vulnerability-is-uncer_1184414.jpg) > ““The definition of vulnerability is uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. But vulnerability is not weakness; it's our most accurate measure of courage. When the barrier is our belief about vulnerability, the question becomes: 'Are we willing to show up and be seen when we can't control the outcome?' When the barrier to vulnerability is about safety, the question becomes: 'Are we willing to create courageous spaces so we can be fully seen?”” [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Vulnerability involves uncertainty and emotional exposure, yet it is a true sign of courage, prompting us to ask if we can be seen without control or safety guarantees. **In simple terms:** Vulnerability is courage, not weakness. Key Takeaway Embrace uncertainty to build courageous spaces. Themes courage authenticity leadership psychology Mood reflective inspirational empowering Type advice philosophical motivational When to use this quote - team meetings - personal relationships - public speaking - creative projects - therapy Key Concepts emotional exposure risk courage psychological safety Questions to Reflect On - How can you create a space where others feel safe to be seen? - What personal barriers stop you from showing up fully? A Different Perspective If safety is prioritized over openness, vulnerability may be suppressed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Vulnerability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vulnerability/) ## Related quotes > [Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/courage-starts-with-showing-up-and-letting-ourselves-be-seen/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“We need to have owned our stories before sharing them is experienced as a gift. 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I lost the fight, but probably won my life back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/vulnerability-pushed-i-pushed-back-i-lost-the-fight-but-probably-won/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Vulnerability is not weakness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/vulnerability-is-not-weakness/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“Vulnerability is not weakness, and the uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure we face every day are not optional.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/vulnerability-is-not-weakness-and-the-uncertainty-risk-and-emotional/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/we-cultivate-love-when-we-allow-our-most-vulnerable-and-powerful/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“Ordinary courage is about putting our vulnerability on the line. In today’s world, that’s pretty extraordinary.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/ordinary-courage-is-about-putting-our-vulnerability-on-the-line-in/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“We love seeing raw truth and openness in other people, but we're afraid to let them see it in us. We're afraid that our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/we-love-seeing-raw-truth-and-openness-in-other-people-but-we-re/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Vulnerability is not about fear and grief and disappointment; it is the birthplace of everything we're hungry for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/vulnerability-is-not-about-fear-and-grief-and-disappointment-it-is/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Vulnerability is the core, the heart, the center, of meaningful human experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/vulnerability-is-the-core-the-heart-the-center-of-meaningful-human/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Love is a connection that can only be cultivated between two people when it exists within each one of them - we can only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/love-is-a-connection-that-can-only-be-cultivated-between-two-people/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Vulnerability is our most accurate measurement of courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/vulnerability-is-our-most-accurate-measurement-of-courage/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) ## More by Brené Brown > [We're raising children who have little tolerance for disappointment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/we-re-raising-children-who-have-little-tolerance-for-disappointment/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“always put off writing by reorganizing my entire house and spending way too much time and money buying office supplies and organizing systems. 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