Quotes About Anxiety, Worry, and Overthinking
These quotes about anxiety put words to worry about tomorrow, imagined trouble, and thoughts that keep circling. The collection brings together short passages from writers, Stoic philosophers, and the King James Bible, with a source for each.
Quotes about worry and the future
When tomorrow starts taking up too much of today.
It is vain and useless to be disturbed or lifted up about future things which perhaps will never come.
He who fears he shall suffer, already suffers what he fears.
And there is no difference between grief for something lost and the fear of losing it.
Quotes for overthinkers
A little room for attention, perspective, and being human.
My experience is what I agree to attend to.
Allow for accidents. Allow for human nature, especially your own.
We are in the habit of exaggerating, or imagining, or anticipating, sorrow.
When fear grows in the imagination
A feared event and an event that has happened can feel very close together.
Present fears Are less than horrible imaginings.
Nothing is so much to be feared as fear.
Stoic quotes about anxiety
Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, and Epictetus consider uncertainty, expectations, and practical action. For more, read Stoic quotes.
It is likely that some troubles will befall us; but it is not a present fact.
To-day I have got out of all trouble, or rather I have cast out all trouble, for it was not outside, but within and in my opinions.
When I see a man anxious, I say, What does this man want? If he did not want something which is not in his power, how could he be anxious?
Be sure to foresee whatever can be foreseen by planning.
Bible verses for anxiety from the KJV
These five passages speak about worry, fear, prayer, and trust. In the older wording here, “take no thought” and “be careful” refer to anxious care.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Often misattributed
These lines are often credited to the wrong person.
“I’ve had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.”
Usually credited to Mark Twain. Quote Investigator found no evidence that Twain said it. The credit to him first appeared in 1923, 13 years after his death. Source
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.”
Usually credited to Corrie ten Boom. The saying comes from Alexander McLaren’s 1859 sermon “Anxious Care”: “It does not empty to-morrow, brother, of its sorrows; but, ah! it empties to-day of its strength.” Source
Questions
What is a good quote for anxiety?
Arnold Bennett’s “Allow for accidents. Allow for human nature, especially your own” leaves room for things to go differently than planned. It’s a short line to keep nearby when you’re asking too much of yourself.
What are some good quotes for overthinkers?
Seneca writes, “We are in the habit of exaggerating, or imagining, or anticipating, sorrow.” William James’s line about attention offers another angle: what occupies your mind shapes your experience. Both appear above with their sources.
What did the Stoics say about anxiety?
Epictetus connects anxiety with wanting outcomes beyond our control. Seneca also makes room for practical planning: “Be sure to foresee whatever can be foreseen by planning.” These are philosophical views to consider. Read more Stoic quotes.
What is a good Bible verse for anxiety?
Philippians 4:6–7 brings prayer and thanksgiving into a passage about anxious care. For a shorter verse, Psalm 56:3 says, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” Both are quoted above from the King James Version.
Can quotes help with anxiety?
A quote can give you words for what you’re feeling or something to reflect on. Quotes are no substitute for care. If anxiety is getting in the way of daily life, a doctor or counselor can help.
Some quotes come from Wikiquote, used under CC BY-SA 4.0, and link to their source pages. Translations are by William Benham, Charles Cotton, revised by William Carew Hazlitt, Richard M. Gummere, and George Long, and are in the public domain. Bible verses are from the King James Version, which is in the public domain.