Integrity is choosing courage over comfort choosing what Meaning Factcheck Usage
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Integrity is choosing courage over comfort is more than just a quote. It’s a practical framework for making tough decisions. It forces you to align your actions with your stated values, especially when it’s difficult. This is where real character is built.

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Meaning

At its core, this quote redefines integrity not as a passive state of being “good,” but as an active, often difficult, series of choices. It’s about what you do when no one is watching and the easy path is right there in front of you.

Explanation

Let’s break this down. You see, most people think of integrity as just telling the truth. But Brene pushes it way further. She’s saying the first test is choosing courage over comfort. That’s the initial hurdle. It’s the moment you decide to have the awkward conversation instead of avoiding it.

Then, she hits us with the second layer: right over fun, fast, or easy. This is the daily grind of integrity. It’s doing the deep work instead of scrolling, it’s honoring a commitment when you’re tired, it’s admitting a mistake even if it’s embarrassing.

And the final, killer point? Practice over profess. This is the one that separates the talkers from the walkers. Anyone can post their values on social media. But living them? When it costs you something? That’s the real work. It’s a continuous, imperfect practice, not a trophy you win.

Quote Summary

ContextAttributes
Original LanguageEnglish (3668)
CategoryWisdom (385)
Topicsintegrity (42), values (51)
Literary Stylestructured (37)
Emotion / Moodinspiring (392), serious (155)
Overall Quote Score85 (305)
Reading Level50
Aesthetic Score85

Origin & Factcheck

This is straight from Brené Brown’s 2015 book, Rising Strong as a Spiritual Practice. You’ll sometimes see it floating around unattributed or mistakenly credited to other leadership or self-help figures, but its home is firmly in her research on vulnerability and wholehearted living.

Attribution Summary

ContextAttributes
AuthorBrene Brown (257)
Source TypeBook (4032)
Source/Book NameRising Strong as a Spiritual Practice (39)
Origin Timeperiod21st Century (1892)
Original LanguageEnglish (3668)
AuthenticityVerified (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?

QuotationIntegrity is choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them
Book DetailsPublication Year: 2017; ISBN: Unknown (based on her talk and workbook materials); Length: ~60 pages (lecture adaptation, Sounds True audio transcript).
Where is it?Section: Integrity, Approximate Page 24

Authority Score95

Context

In the book, this isn’t just a nice saying. It’s part of her “Rising Strong” process—that messy, painful, but essential work we do after we fall flat on our faces. She positions integrity as the non-negotiable bedrock for getting back up. It’s the compass you use to navigate the aftermath of a failure or a conflict.

Usage Examples

I use this as a litmus test all the time. Seriously.

  • For a team leader: It’s about giving constructive feedback to a struggling team member (courage over comfort) instead of just letting underperformance slide (easy).
  • For a founder: It’s choosing to fix a product flaw that will delay launch (what’s right) over hitting a fun, fast deadline with a broken product.
  • For anyone, really: It’s apologizing sincerely when you’ve hurt someone (practicing your value of compassion) rather than just saying “I’m a compassionate person” and moving on.

To whom it appeals?

ContextAttributes
ThemePrinciple (838)
Audienceseducators (295), leaders (2619), professionals (751), students (3111)
Usage Context/Scenarioethics discussions (10), leadership training (259), motivational talks (410), organizational workshops (1), personal reflection (34)

Share This Quote Image & Motivate

Motivation Score90
Popularity Score95
Shareability Score95

FAQ

Question: Does this mean I can never have fun or take the easy way out?

Answer: Not at all. It’s about the critical choices where your core values are on the line. It’s not about burning yourself out; it’s about knowing when comfort is self-care and when it’s cowardice.

Question: How is this different from just having strong morals?

Answer: Morals are your internal belief system. Integrity is the action that proves you believe it. It’s the bridge between what you think and what you do.

Question: What if I fail at this?

Answer: You will. Everyone does. The point isn’t perfection. The “practice” in “practice our values” is key. It means you get up and try again tomorrow. The attempt itself is a win.

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