Curiosity is a shaper of empathy… it’s the secret ingredient for getting back up after a fall. This isn’t just feel-good advice; it’s a practical framework for resilience. When we get curious about our own stories and others’, we stop judging and start understanding, which is the bedrock of true strength.
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Meaning
At its core, this quote means that our willingness to ask “why” is what builds our capacity for compassion, and that this process is non-negotiable for overcoming adversity with integrity.
Explanation
Let me break this down for you. Most of us, when we get hurt or fail, we go straight to self-protection. We armor up. We blame. We shut down. Brown is saying the exact opposite move is what makes you strong. You have to get curious. You have to lean into the discomfort and ask, “What’s really happening here? What’s that person’s story? What’s my story?”
That curiosity, that act of investigation, is what shapes empathy. It carves out the space for understanding where there was only reaction. And that, my friend, is the critical part. It’s the mechanism. You can’t rise strong from a place of blame and armored-up certainty. You can only truly rise from a place of vulnerable, curious understanding.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Education (260) |
| Topics | curiosity (46), empathy (143), growth (413) |
| Literary Style | didactic (370) |
| Emotion / Mood | optimistic (116) |
| Overall Quote Score | 79 (243) |
Origin & Factcheck
This is straight from Brené Brown’s 2015 book, Rising Strong. It’s a key concept in her research on vulnerability and wholehearted living. You won’t find it misattributed to other authors because it’s so uniquely tied to her “rumble” and “reckoning” process that she lays out in that specific work.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Brene Brown (257) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Rising Strong (30) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Dr Brene Brown is the author of books such as Daring Greatly and The Power of Vulnerability. The TED talk and Netflix production based on her research reached out to millions of audience. She researches effects of courage and vulnerability in shaping people's work and relationships. She leads the Brené Brown Education and Research Group and provides evidence-based insights into practical tools to help people train themselves
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Curiosity is a shaper of empathy and a critical part of rising strong |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2015; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9780812995824; Last edition. Number of pages: 336. |
| Where is it? | Approximate page, The Rumble section |