---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We often hear of people breaking down…"
description: "\"We often hear of people breaking down from overwork, but in nine out of ten they are really suffering from worry or anxiety.\" — John Lubbock"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa7/john-lubbock-8094_anxiety_we-often-hear-of-people-breaking-down-fr_2108350.png"
---

#  We often hear of people breaking down from overwork, but…

![“We often hear of people breaking down from overwork, but in nine out of ten they are really suffering from worry or anxiety.” quote by John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa7/john-lubbock-8094_anxiety_we-often-hear-of-people-breaking-down-fr_2108350.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa7/john-lubbock-8094_anxiety_we-often-hear-of-people-breaking-down-fr_2108350.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa7/john-lubbock-8094_anxiety_we-often-hear-of-people-breaking-down-fr_2108350.png)

> “We often hear of people breaking down from overwork, but in nine out of ten they are really suffering from worry or anxiety.”

[John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Overwork often masks underlying anxiety, indicating that stress symptoms may stem from mental strain rather than physical exhaustion.

**In simple terms:** Anxiety can masquerade as fatigue from work.

Key Takeaway

Address mental health, not just workload.

Themes

work anxiety stress mental health

Mood

concerned thoughtful

Type

health psychological

When to use this quote

- office environment
- healthcare
- self‑care routines

Key Concepts

burnout psychological stress coping mechanisms

Questions to Reflect On

- What triggers your anxiety?
- How can you separate work stress from worry?

A Different Perspective

Physical rest alone may not resolve anxiety.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Overwork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overwork/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Worry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worry/)

## Related quotes

> [In my book I specifically discussed the structural nature of injustice and offered Nine Touchstones of Goddess ethics as an alternative to the Ten…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-p-christ/in-my-book-i-specifically-discussed-the-structural-nature-of/)

[Carol P. Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-p-christ/)

> [I have ten commandments. The first nine are, thou shalt not bore. The tenth is, thou shalt have right of final cut.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-wilder/i-have-ten-commandments-the-first-nine-are-thou-shalt-not-bore-the/)

[Billy Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-wilder/)

> [The government consists of a gang of men exactly like you and me. They have, taking one with another, no special talent for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/the-government-consists-of-a-gang-of-men-exactly-like-you-and-me-they/)

[H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/)

> [It has been nine years since the Supreme Court decision outlawing segregated schools, yet less than ten per cent of the Negro students in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/it-has-been-nine-years-since-the-supreme-court-decision-outlawing/)

[Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/)

> [I've a theory that one can always get anything one wants if one will pay the price. And do you know what the price…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/i-ve-a-theory-that-one-can-always-get-anything-one-wants-if-one-will/)

[Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/)

> [If we know there is enough money in there for nine or ten months, we won't worry too much. They can come back and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-william-mccormack/if-we-know-there-is-enough-money-in-there-for-nine-or-ten-months-we/)

John William McCormack

> [Nine out of ten English chefs have their names on their chests. Who do they think they are? They're dreamers. They're jokes. Just ask…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/nine-out-of-ten-english-chefs-have-their-names-on-their-chests-who-do/)

[Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/)

> [The cynics are right nine times out of ten.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/the-cynics-are-right-nine-times-out-of-ten/)

[H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/)

> [Nine out of ten businesses fail; so I came up with a foolproof plan - create ten businesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/nine-out-of-ten-businesses-fail-so-i-came-up-with-a-foolproof-plan/)

[Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/)

> [If you do not worship God, you worship something, and nine times out of ten it will be yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/if-you-do-not-worship-god-you-worship-something-and-nine-times-out-of/)

[Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/)

> [Fears are a complete waste of your time. Nine times out of ten, whatever you're afraid of is not dangerous or life threatening. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-stephenson/fears-are-a-complete-waste-of-your-time-nine-times-out-of-ten/)

[Sean Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-stephenson/)

> [I hate liberality - nine times out of ten it is cowardice, and the tenth time lack of principle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-hate-liberality-nine-times-out-of-ten-it-is-cowardice-and-the-tenth/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [If we did ten things, nine were bad and got disclosed by the newspapers, we will be over. Then I will go, to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/if-we-did-ten-things-nine-were-bad-and-got-disclosed-by-the/)

[Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/)

> [I am convinced that nine out of every ten persons seeing a psychiatrist do not need one. They need someone who will love them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tournier/i-am-convinced-that-nine-out-of-every-ten-persons-seeing-a/)

[Paul Tournier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tournier/)

> [It sounded nothing like the classic "That's all folks" that the character did. So everytime I'm asked to do it - and nine out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-bergen/it-sounded-nothing-like-the-classic-that-s-all-folks-that-the/)

[Bob Bergen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-bergen/)

## More by John Lubbock

> [Many of the greatest men have owed their success to industry rather than to cleverness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/many-of-the-greatest-men-have-owed-their-success-to-industry-rather/)

[John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/)

> [Savages have often been likened to children, and the comparison is not only correct but also highly instructive. Many naturalists consider that the early…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/savages-have-often-been-likened-to-children-and-the-comparison-is-not/)

[John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/)

> [There can be no merit in believing something which you can neither explain nor understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/there-can-be-no-merit-in-believing-something-which-you-can-neither/)

[John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/)

> [Many savage nations worship trees, and I really think my first feeling would be one of delight and interest rather than of surprise, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/many-savage-nations-worship-trees-and-i-really-think-my-first-feeling/)

[John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/)

> [Many a blessing has been recognized too late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/many-a-blessing-has-been-recognized-too-late/)

[John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/)

> [Art trains the mind through the eye, and the eye through the mind. As the sun colors flowers, so does art color life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/art-trains-the-mind-through-the-eye-and-the-eye-through-the-mind-as/)

[John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/)

> [We may sit in our library and yet be in all quarters of the earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/we-may-sit-in-our-library-and-yet-be-in-all-quarters-of-the-earth/)

[John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/)

> [“In truth, people can generally make time for what they choose to do; it is not really the time but the will that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/in-truth-people-can-generally-make-time-for-what-they-choose-to-do-it/)

[John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/)

> [To render ourselves insensible to pain we must forfeit also the possibilities of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/to-render-ourselves-insensible-to-pain-we-must-forfeit-also-the/)

[John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/)

> [The idle man does not know what it is to enjoy rest, for he has not earned it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/the-idle-man-does-not-know-what-it-is-to-enjoy-rest-for-he-has-not/)

[John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/)

> [“Our great mistake in education is, as it seems to me, the worship of book-learning–the confusion of instruction and education. We strain the memory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/our-great-mistake-in-education-is-as-it-seems-to-me-the-worship-of/)

[John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/)

> [Be cautious, but not too cautious; do not be too much afraid of making a mistake; a man who never makes a mistake will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/be-cautious-but-not-too-cautious-do-not-be-too-much-afraid-of-making/)

[John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/)

> [This is a great way to become more conscious. Your intention and motives are fundamental to the results you will receive. Set high intentions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/this-is-a-great-way-to-become-more-conscious-your-intention-and/)

[John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/)

> [Exercise of the muscles keeps the body in health, and exercise of the brain brings peace of mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/exercise-of-the-muscles-keeps-the-body-in-health-and-exercise-of-the/)

[John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/)

> [Though it is a great mistake to make friends of the wicked and foolish, it is unwise to make enemies of them, for they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/though-it-is-a-great-mistake-to-make-friends-of-the-wicked-and/)

[John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/)

[Explore all 84 John Lubbock quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/)

## More Anxiety quotes

> [“Anything that you find yourself worrying about regularly may find you suddenly wanting unrealistic changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagisa-tatsumi/anything-that-you-find-yourself-worrying-about-regularly-may-find-you/)

Nagisa Tatsumi

> [Bein Crazy is the least of my worries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/bein-crazy-is-the-least-of-my-worries/)

[Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/)

> [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/)

[Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/)

> [“Fear of seeing a police car pull into the drive. Fear of falling asleep at night. Fear of not falling asleep. Fear of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/fear-of-seeing-a-police-car-pull-into-the-drive-fear-of-falling/)

[Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/)

> [I get nervous when I don't get nervous. If I'm nervous I know I'm going to have a good show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/i-get-nervous-when-i-don-t-get-nervous-if-i-m-nervous-i-know-i-m/)

[Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/)

> [“Every invention comes through anxiousness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakesh-wadhwani/every-invention-comes-through-anxiousness/)

[Rakesh Wadhwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakesh-wadhwani/)

> [“Do Not Be Anxious 25 e “Therefore I tell you,  f do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-be-anxious-25-e-therefore-i-tell-you-f-do-not-be-anxious-about/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Nothing happens on its own, you have to make things happen. If you really want to come out of your stressful situation than you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subodh-gupta/nothing-happens-on-its-own-you-have-to-make-things-happen-if-you/)

[Subodh Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subodh-gupta/)

> [“I guess if we're talking about my anxiety, the even truthier truth is it started way before that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-winfrey/i-guess-if-we-re-talking-about-my-anxiety-the-even-truthier-truth-is/)

[Kerry Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-winfrey/)

> [I was a very good student. Procrastinating gives me anxiety, and getting a B really ticked me off. Sure, I didn't always want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-loren/i-was-a-very-good-student-procrastinating-gives-me-anxiety-and/)

[Josie Loren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-loren/)

> [“The suspense: the fearful, acute suspense: of standing idly by while the life of one we dearly love, is trembling in the balance; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/the-suspense-the-fearful-acute-suspense-of-standing-idly-by-while-the/)

[Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/)

> [The party in Alobar’s head, which agitation and anxiety were throwing, now was crashed by a notion: existence can be rearranged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-party-in-alobar-s-head-which-agitation-and-anxiety-were-throwing/)

[Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/)

> [As you know, I have been very open about my struggle with social anxiety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/summer-walker/as-you-know-i-have-been-very-open-about-my-struggle-with-social/)

[Summer Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/summer-walker/)

> [Anxiety is not to be managed it is a sin that needs to be repented of](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-driscoll/anxiety-is-not-to-be-managed-it-is-a-sin-that-needs-to-be-repented-of/)

[Mark Driscoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-driscoll/)

> [“I’ve always seen this in you, ever since you were a little girl — this hunger to love other people into their highest selves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-elisabeth/i-ve-always-seen-this-in-you-ever-since-you-were-a-little-girl-this/)

[Jennifer Elisabeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-elisabeth/)

[Browse all 4,944 Anxiety quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "We often hear of people breaking down from overwork, but in nine out of ten they are really suffering from worry or anxiety.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "John Lubbock"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/we-often-hear-of-people-breaking-down-from-overwork-but-in-nine-out/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Anxiety"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/we-often-hear-of-people-breaking-down-from-overwork-but-in-nine-out/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa7/john-lubbock-8094_anxiety_we-often-hear-of-people-breaking-down-fr_2108350.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa7/john-lubbock-8094_anxiety_we-often-hear-of-people-breaking-down-fr_2108350.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa7/john-lubbock-8094_anxiety_we-often-hear-of-people-breaking-down-fr_2108350.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“We often hear of people breaking down from overwork, but in nine out of ten they are really suffering from…” — John Lubbock",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "John Lubbock",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "We often hear of people breaking...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/we-often-hear-of-people-breaking-down-from-overwork-but-in-nine-out/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/we-often-hear-of-people-breaking-down-from-overwork-but-in-nine-out/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
