---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: From restless thoughts, that, like a…"
description: "\"From restless thoughts, that, like a deadly swarm Of hornets arm'd, no sooner found alone, But rush upon me thronging.\" — John Milton"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90c/john-milton-191_anxiety_from-restless-thoughts-that-like-a-deadl_822330.png"
---

#  From restless thoughts, that, like a deadly swarm Of…

![“From restless thoughts, that, like a deadly swarm Of hornets arm'd, no sooner found alone, But rush upon me thronging.” quote by John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90c/john-milton-191_anxiety_from-restless-thoughts-that-like-a-deadl_822330.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90c/john-milton-191_anxiety_from-restless-thoughts-that-like-a-deadl_822330.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90c/john-milton-191_anxiety_from-restless-thoughts-that-like-a-deadl_822330.png)

> “From restless thoughts, that, like a deadly swarm Of hornets arm'd, no sooner found alone, But rush upon me thronging.”

[John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/)

## About This Quote

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

A mind plagued by anxiety feels overwhelmed as thoughts multiply and attack.

**In simple terms:** Anxious thoughts multiply and overwhelm.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and calm racing thoughts.

Themes

anxiety mind overwhelm

Mood

tense reflective

Type

literary psychological

When to use this quote

- stressful work
- public speaking
- creative block
- relationship conflict

Key Concepts

psychology mental health rumination

Questions to Reflect On

- What triggers your racing thoughts?
- How can you break the cycle of mental overwhelm?

A Different Perspective

Anxiety can be managed with mindfulness and structured thinking.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) [Arms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arms/) [Deadly Swarm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deadly-swarm-483858/) [Found](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/found/) [Hornets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hornets/) [Hornets Arm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hornets-arm-483860/) [Restless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/restless/) [Restless Thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/restless-thoughts-483859/) [Social anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-anxiety/) [Swarm Hornets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swarm-hornets-483857/) [Swarms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swarms/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/)

## Related quotes

> [The firing on that fort will inaugurate a civil war greater than any the world has yet seen…you will lose us every friend at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-toombs/the-firing-on-that-fort-will-inaugurate-a-civil-war-greater-than-any/)

[Robert Toombs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-toombs/)

> [Mr. President at this time it is suicide, murder, and will lose us every friend at the North. You will wantonly strike a hornet's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-toombs/mr-president-at-this-time-it-is-suicide-murder-and-will-lose-us-every/)

[Robert Toombs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-toombs/)

> [“But he, Siddhartha, was not a source of joy for himself, he found no delight in himself. Walking the rosy paths of the fig…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/but-he-siddhartha-was-not-a-source-of-joy-for-himself-he-found-no/)

[Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/)

> [The wind causes waves to arise at the sea. Restless thoughts are the winds that bring waves and storms into the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-wind-causes-waves-to-arise-at-the-sea-restless-thoughts-are-the/)

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

> [“For a minute I consider taking my iPod out of my pocket to give myself a little music to make the walk go faster,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-bradley-rede/for-a-minute-i-consider-taking-my-ipod-out-of-my-pocket-to-give/)

[Laura Bradley Rede](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-bradley-rede/)

> [Restless thoughts are a kind of mental 'static' which must be silenced if we are to hear the whispers of our inner self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-novak/restless-thoughts-are-a-kind-of-mental-static-which-must-be-silenced/)

[John Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-novak/)

> [Dreams and restless thoughts came flowing to him from the river, from the twinkling stars at night, from the sun's melting rays. Dreams and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/dreams-and-restless-thoughts-came-flowing-to-him-from-the-river-from/)

[Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/)

> [Laws catch flies but let hornets go free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mrthrill/laws-catch-flies-but-let-hornets-go-free/)

[Mrthrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mrthrill/)

> [ You will stir up the hornets. \[Lat., Irritabis crabones.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/you-will-stir-up-the-hornets-lat-irritabis-crabones/)

[Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/)

> [Since the NBA purchased the New Orleans Hornets, final responsibility for significant management decisions lies with the Commissioner's Office in consultation with team chairman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-stern/since-the-nba-purchased-the-new-orleans-hornets-final-responsibility/)

[David Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-stern/)

> [When the hornet hangs in the hollyhock, And the brown bee drones in the rose, And the west is a red-streaked four-o'clock, And summer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madison-cawein/when-the-hornet-hangs-in-the-hollyhock-and-the-brown-bee-drones-in/)

[Madison Cawein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madison-cawein/)

> [Concerning the generation of animals akin to them, as hornets and wasps, the facts in all cases are similar to a certain extent, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/concerning-the-generation-of-animals-akin-to-them-as-hornets-and/)

[Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/)

> [It's amazing now the amount of love we get around this city from all the Hornets' fans. Growing up, you really don't understand it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemba-walker/it-s-amazing-now-the-amount-of-love-we-get-around-this-city-from-all/)

[Kemba Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemba-walker/)

> [The wing structure of the hornet, in relation to its weight, is not suitable for flight, but he does not know this and flies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-wing-structure-of-the-hornet-in-relation-to-its-weight-is-not/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [A big business man was telling Henry Ford about a coach driver of super-expertness with his whip. The driver was telling how he could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-forbes/a-big-business-man-was-telling-henry-ford-about-a-coach-driver-of/)

[B. C. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/)

## More by John Milton

> [Love-quarrels oft in pleasing concord end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/love-quarrels-oft-in-pleasing-concord-end/)

[John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/)

> [What better can we do than prostrate fall before Him reverent, and there confess humbly our faults, and pardon beg with tears watering the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/what-better-can-we-do-than-prostrate-fall-before-him-reverent-and/)

[John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/)

> [And, when night Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-when-night-darkens-the-streets-then-wander-forth-the-sons-of/)

[John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/)

> [And, re-assembling our afflicted powers, consult how we may henceforth most offend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-re-assembling-our-afflicted-powers-consult-how-we-may-henceforth/)

[John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/)

> [Yet hold it more humane, more heav'nly, first, By winning words to conquer willing hearts, And make persuasion do the work of fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/yet-hold-it-more-humane-more-heav-nly-first-by-winning-words-to/)

[John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/)

> [O nightingale, that on yon bloomy spray Warblest at eve, when all the woods are still; Thou with fresh hope the lover's heart dost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/o-nightingale-that-on-yon-bloomy-spray-warblest-at-eve-when-all-the/)

[John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/)

> [The debt immense of endless gratitude, So burthensome, still paying, still to owe; Forgetful what from him I still receivd, And understood not that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/the-debt-immense-of-endless-gratitude-so-burthensome-still-paying/)

[John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/)

> [Knowledge forbidden? Suspicious, reasonless. Why should their Lord Envy them that? Can it be sin to know, Can it be death? And do they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/knowledge-forbidden-suspicious-reasonless-why-should-their-lord-envy/)

[John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/)

> [There is no truth sure enough to justify persecution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/there-is-no-truth-sure-enough-to-justify-persecution/)

[John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/)

> [These eyes, tho' clear To outward view of blemish or of spot, Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot, Nor to their idle orbs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/these-eyes-tho-clear-to-outward-view-of-blemish-or-of-spot-bereft-of/)

[John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/)

> [New Presbyter is but Old Priest writ Large.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/new-presbyter-is-but-old-priest-writ-large/)

[John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/)

> [And what is faith, love, virtue unassayed Alone, without exterior help sustained?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-what-is-faith-love-virtue-unassayed-alone-without-exterior-help/)

[John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/)

> [This is servitude, To serve th'unwise, or him who hath rebelled Against his worthier, as thine now serve thee, Thyself not free, but to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/this-is-servitude-to-serve-th-unwise-or-him-who-hath-rebelled-against/)

[John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/)

> [Let us seek Death, or he not found, supply With our own hands his office on ourselves; Why stand we longer shivering under fears,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/let-us-seek-death-or-he-not-found-supply-with-our-own-hands-his/)

[John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/)

> [They are the troublers, they are the dividers of unity, who neglect and don't permit others to unite those dissevered pieces which are yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/they-are-the-troublers-they-are-the-dividers-of-unity-who-neglect-and/)

[John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/)

[Explore all 966 John Milton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/)

## 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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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": "From restless thoughts, that, like a deadly swarm Of hornets arm'd, no sooner found alone, But rush upon me thronging.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "John Milton"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/from-restless-thoughts-that-like-a-deadly-swarm-of-hornets-arm-d-no/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Anxiety"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/from-restless-thoughts-that-like-a-deadly-swarm-of-hornets-arm-d-no/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90c/john-milton-191_anxiety_from-restless-thoughts-that-like-a-deadl_822330.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90c/john-milton-191_anxiety_from-restless-thoughts-that-like-a-deadl_822330.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90c/john-milton-191_anxiety_from-restless-thoughts-that-like-a-deadl_822330.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“From restless thoughts, that, like a deadly swarm Of hornets arm'd, no sooner found alone, But rush upon me…” — John Milton",
                "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 Milton",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "From restless thoughts, that, like a...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/from-restless-thoughts-that-like-a-deadly-swarm-of-hornets-arm-d-no/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/from-restless-thoughts-that-like-a-deadly-swarm-of-hornets-arm-d-no/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
