A collection of worry quotes, worry proverbs and worry sayings to calm you down and let you have a different view about worry. Enjoy!
Are you still worried? Is anxiety dragging you downhill?
Living in worry invites death in a hurry. ~American Proverb
Worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it doesn’t get you anywhere. ~English Proverb
No amount of worry can solve any problem. ~Godwin Delali Adadzie
The reason why worry kills more people than work is that more people worry than work. ~Robert Frost
It is worms which destroy a tree, it is worry which destroys a man. ~Turkish Proverb
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it is due. ~William R. Inge
Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday. ~Author Unknown
The rich worry over their money, the poor over their bread. ~Vietnamese Proverb
People worry, and God smiles. ~Hebrew Proverb
Blessed is the person who is too busy to worry in the daytime and too sleepy to worry at night. ~Author Unknown
Worry gives a small thing a big shadow. ~Swedish Proverb
Do you remember the things you were worrying about a year ago? How did they work out? Didn’t you waste a lot of fruitless energy on account of most of them? Didn’t most of them turn out all right after all? ~Dale Carnegie
A day of worry is more exhausting than a week of work. ~John Lubbock
If there be no remedy, why worry?. ~Spanish Proverb
One cannot change the past, but one can ruin the present by worrying over the future. ~Anonymous
There is a great difference between worry and concern. A worried person sees a problem, and a concerned person solves a problem. ~Harold Stephens
Action is worry’s worst enemy. ~American Proverb
There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will. ~Epictetus
It is not work that kills, but worry. ~African Proverb
Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength. ~Corrie Ten Boom
I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn’t need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about. ~Henry Ford
If you can fix the thing that worries you, then fix it, otherwise don’t waste precious time or energy on it. ~Colleen Grant
Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, faith looks up. ~Anonymous
Happy the man who has broken the chains which hurt the mind, and has given up worrying once and for all. ~Ovid
Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It’s already tomorrow in Australia. ~Charles Schultz
Worry is as useless as a handle on a snowball. ~Mitzi Chandler
Worrying never did anyone any good. ~Swedish Proverb
Worry, that relentless companion that often creeps into our lives uninvited, has a way of casting shadows on our thoughts and emotions. It’s a universal human experience, yet it rarely offers solutions to the challenges we face. In this collection of worry quotes and proverbs, we’ll explore the wisdom and insights that can help us understand, manage, and ultimately let go of worries. Let’s embark on a journey to transform our relationship with worry and find a more peaceful way of living.
Living in Worry: An Invitation to Unwanted Guests
“Worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it doesn’t get you anywhere.”
— English Proverb
This timeless English proverb paints a vivid picture of worry as a futile exercise—a rocking chair that keeps us busy but takes us nowhere. It highlights how worry can consume our time and energy without offering any real solutions or progress. To escape this cycle, we must learn to recognize when we’re in the grip of worry and seek healthier ways to address our concerns.
Worry vs. Work: The Deadly Battle
“The reason why worry kills more people than work is that more people worry than work.”
— Robert Frost
Robert Frost’s quote humorously underscores the prevalence of worry in our lives. While work can be demanding and challenging, it often pales in comparison to the destructive force of constant worry. This quote serves as a reminder that our mental and emotional well-being should not be sacrificed at the altar of ceaseless worry.
Worry’s Toll: The Silent Destroyer
“It is worms which destroy a tree, it is worry which destroys a man.”
— Turkish Proverb
This Turkish proverb draws a striking parallel between the insidious nature of worry and the damage caused by worms to a tree. Just as worms eat away at a tree’s core, worry can corrode a person’s inner peace and well-being. It serves as a cautionary tale, urging us to protect ourselves from the corrosive effects of excessive worry.
Worry’s Interest: Paying in Advance
“Worry is interest paid on trouble before it is due.”
— William R. Inge
William R. Inge’s quote offers a financial analogy to illustrate the fruitlessness of worry. Just as paying interest on a loan doesn’t solve the underlying financial issue, worrying about future troubles doesn’t resolve them either. Instead, it robs us of our present peace and joy. This quote reminds us to focus on the present moment and tackle problems as they arise.
Tomorrow’s Worries: Today’s Illusion
“Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday.”
— Author Unknown
This clever quote humorously highlights the futility of worrying about the future. Often, the concerns we obsess over today turn out to be mere illusions when tomorrow arrives. It serves as a gentle nudge to let go of unnecessary worry and trust that life will unfold as it should.
The Spectrum of Concern: Worry vs. Concern
“There is a great difference between worry and concern. A worried person sees a problem, and a concerned person solves a problem.”
— Harold Stephens
Harold Stephens draws a clear distinction between worry and concern in this insightful quote. While worry tends to paralyze and preoccupy us, concern motivates us to take action and seek solutions. Understanding this difference empowers us to channel our energy into productive problem-solving instead of dwelling on anxiety.
Action: Worry’s Worst Enemy
“Action is worry’s worst enemy.”
— American Proverb
This American proverb emphasizes the transformative power of action in combating worry. When we take concrete steps to address our concerns, we regain a sense of control and diminish the hold that worry has over us. It reminds us that we possess the agency to change our circumstances.
The Path to Happiness: Letting Go of Worry
“There is only one way to happiness, and that is to cease worrying about things that are beyond the power of our will.”
— Epictetus
Epictetus, the Stoic philosopher, offers profound wisdom in this quote. He suggests that true happiness lies in relinquishing our concerns over matters beyond our control. By accepting this fundamental truth, we free ourselves from the burden of unnecessary worry and open the door to a more tranquil existence.
Worry vs. Work: The Silent Killer
“It is not work that kills, but worry.”
— African Proverb
This African proverb encapsulates the idea that worry can be far more detrimental to our well-being than the demands of work. While work can be physically taxing, chronic worry exacts a toll on our mental and emotional health. It serves as a reminder to prioritize self-care and emotional resilience.
Worry: Emptier of Strength
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.”
— Corrie Ten Boom
Corrie Ten Boom’s poignant quote underscores the cost of excessive worry. It not only fails to alleviate future sorrow but also robs us of our capacity to face today’s challenges with strength and resilience. By recognizing the depleting nature of worry, we can choose to redirect our focus toward more constructive pursuits.
Trusting the Flow of Life: A Belief in Providence
“I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn’t need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about.”
— Henry Ford
Henry Ford’s quote reflects a deep sense of trust in the unfolding of life’s events. It reminds us that sometimes, surrendering control and trusting in a higher power can alleviate our worries. While this perspective may not resonate with everyone, it highlights the importance of finding belief systems or philosophies that bring us peace.
Selective Worry: Focus on What You Can Change
“If you can fix the thing that worries you, then fix it; otherwise, don’t waste precious time or energy on it.”
— Colleen Grant
Colleen Grant’s pragmatic advice encourages us to be discerning about where we direct our worry. It’s a reminder that not all concerns warrant our energy and attention. By addressing what’s within our control and letting go of the rest, we can preserve our mental and emotional well-being.
Sorrow, Worry, and Faith: Three Perspectives
“Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, faith looks up.”
— Anonymous
This anonymous quote beautifully illustrates three distinct perspectives on life: sorrow, worry, and faith. While sorrow dwells in the past, worry focuses on the present, and faith directs our gaze upward, toward hope and trust in a better future. It encourages us to shift our perspective away from worry and toward faith.
The Power of Perspective: It’s Already Tomorrow
“Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It’s already tomorrow in Australia.”
— Charles Schultz
Charles Schultz’s lighthearted quote offers a playful perspective on time zones and worries about the future. It reminds us that the world continues to turn, regardless of our worries, and that each day brings new opportunities and challenges. Embracing this perspective can help us keep our worries in check.
Worry’s Uselessness: Like a Handle on a Snowball
“Worry is as useless as a handle on a snowball.”
— Mitzi Chandler
Mitzi Chandler’s vivid metaphor likens worry to a handle on a snowball, emphasizing its futility. Just as a handle does nothing to change the nature of a snowball, worrying accomplishes little in the face of life’s uncertainties. It encourages us to release our grip on worry and let it melt away.
Breaking Free from Worry’s Chains
“Worrying never did anyone any good.”
— Swedish Proverb
This succinct Swedish proverb delivers a powerful message: worry offers no tangible benefits. It’s a stark reminder that worry, despite its prevalence in our lives, does not serve us positively. To live more fully and joyfully, we must break free from the chains of unnecessary worry.
In conclusion, these worry quotes and proverbs offer a wealth of wisdom to help us reframe our relationship with worry. They remind us that worry is a natural human experience but one that can be managed and transcended. By recognizing the futility of excessive worry and embracing healthier perspectives, we can find greater peace and joy in our lives. So, the next time worry knocks on your door, remember these words of wisdom and choose to let go, look up, and live a life less burdened by unnecessary concerns.