--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's not the load that breaks you down…" description: "\"It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.\" — Lou Holtz" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/lou-holtz-1584_breaks_it-s-not-the-load-that-breaks-you-down-i_430810.png" --- # It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you… ![“It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.” quote by Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/lou-holtz-1584_breaks_it-s-not-the-load-that-breaks-you-down-i_430810.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/lou-holtz-1584_breaks_it-s-not-the-load-that-breaks-you-down-i_430810.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/lou-holtz-1584_breaks_it-s-not-the-load-that-breaks-you-down-i_430810.png) > “It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.” [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The impact of a burden depends on handling, not the weight itself. **In simple terms:** Handling matters more than weight. Key Takeaway Improve your coping methods. Themes stress resilience perspective Mood reflective encouraging Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - workload management - personal crises - health challenges - team dynamics Key Concepts psychology leadership well‑being Questions to Reflect On - What coping strategies work best for you? - When is it wise to seek help? A Different Perspective Some loads are objectively overwhelming despite technique. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [Its not the load that breaks you down, its the way you carry it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/its-not-the-load-that-breaks-you-down-its-the-way-you-carry-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sometimes it's not the load that breaks us down, it's the way we carry it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-mamerto/sometimes-it-s-not-the-load-that-breaks-us-down-it-s-the-way-we-carry/) [Edwin Mamerto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-mamerto/) > [It's Not The Heavy Load That Breaks You Down, It's The Way You Carry It...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/it-s-not-the-heavy-load-that-breaks-you-down-it-s-the-way-you-carry-it/) Pacifiersucker > [Don't rely on others to show you the way. Carry your own map.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-david-baird-1st-baronet/don-t-rely-on-others-to-show-you-the-way-carry-your-own-map/) [Sir David Baird, 1st Baronet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-david-baird-1st-baronet/) > [The way you carry your name is the vibe people get off it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinah-jane/the-way-you-carry-your-name-is-the-vibe-people-get-off-it/) [Dinah Jane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinah-jane/) > [“I love Lena Horne's "It's not the load that breaks you down. It's the way you carry it." And Annie Dillard"s roughly remembered: Sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeri-parker/i-love-lena-horne-s-it-s-not-the-load-that-breaks-you-down-it-s-the/) Jeri Parker > [I will not judge your character by your limo, but by how you react when it breaks down on the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/i-will-not-judge-your-character-by-your-limo-but-by-how-you-react/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [I'm supposed to find a way to carry on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-gokey/i-m-supposed-to-find-a-way-to-carry-on/) [Danny Gokey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-gokey/) > [Just the way I carry my swag and I'm humble with it too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-herb/just-the-way-i-carry-my-swag-and-i-m-humble-with-it-too/) [Lil Herb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-herb/) > [There is no graceful way to carry hatred.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/there-is-no-graceful-way-to-carry-hatred/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [“Most of us carry loads on ourselves that we really don’t need to carry.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-ratna/most-of-us-carry-loads-on-ourselves-that-we-really-don-t-need-to-carry/) [Abhishek Ratna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-ratna/) > [“It's not the load you carry but how you carry it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/della-reese/it-s-not-the-load-you-carry-but-how-you-carry-it/) [Della Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/della-reese/) > [“If God meant for us to carry baggage around, he would have made our skin have little pouches like kangaroos. Or maybe he would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-van-dyken/if-god-meant-for-us-to-carry-baggage-around-he-would-have-made-our/) [Rachel Van Dyken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-van-dyken/) > [It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it. Carry it by the comfortable handles of gratitude for what's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-horne/it-s-not-the-load-that-breaks-you-down-it-s-the-way-you-carry-it/) [Lena Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-horne/) > [“...between two rapid beats of my heart, someone else's breaks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandy-williams/between-two-rapid-beats-of-my-heart-someone-else-s-breaks/) [Sandy Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandy-williams/) ## More by Lou Holtz > [You will never be indecisive if you know your purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/you-will-never-be-indecisive-if-you-know-your-purpose/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [The answers to these questions will determine your success or failure. 1) Can people trust me to do what's right? 2) Am I committed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/the-answers-to-these-questions-will-determine-your-success-or-failure/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [If what you did yesterday seems big, you haven't done anything today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/if-what-you-did-yesterday-seems-big-you-haven-t-done-anything-today/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [You always have to prepare for the obstacles that are going to come. Consequently, when they do come, it doesn't affect you mentally near…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/you-always-have-to-prepare-for-the-obstacles-that-are-going-to-come/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [Remember this. Bear Bryant retired at age 69, and he died 28 days after he stopped coaching. If you don't have something, and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/remember-this-bear-bryant-retired-at-age-69-and-he-died-28-days-after/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [The freedom to do your own thing ends when you have obligations and responsibilities. If you want to fail yourself - you can -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/the-freedom-to-do-your-own-thing-ends-when-you-have-obligations-and/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [People eyeing you as a potential leader tend to ask three questions: Are you committed? Do you care about me? Can I trust you?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/people-eyeing-you-as-a-potential-leader-tend-to-ask-three-questions/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [“never tell your problems to any1...20% donot care and 80% are glad to have them...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/never-tell-your-problems-to-any1-20-donot-care-and-80-are-glad-to/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [Our cellar home had a kitchen and a combination bedroom and half bath, which meant we had a sink next to the bed. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/our-cellar-home-had-a-kitchen-and-a-combination-bedroom-and-half-bath/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [I was raised a Catholic on both sides of the family. I went to a Catholic grade school and thought everybody in the country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/i-was-raised-a-catholic-on-both-sides-of-the-family-i-went-to-a/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [Everyone wants to win on Saturday afternoon when the game is played. It’s what you do the other six days that decides the outcome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/everyone-wants-to-win-on-saturday-afternoon-when-the-game-is-played/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [At age nine, I got a paper route. Sixty-six papers had to be delivered to sixty-six families every day. I also had to collect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/at-age-nine-i-got-a-paper-route-sixty-six-papers-had-to-be-delivered/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [What you are capable of achieving is determined by your talent and ability. What you attempt to do is determined by your motivation. How…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/what-you-are-capable-of-achieving-is-determined-by-your-talent-and/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [God answers prayers, but he doesn't always answer it your way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/god-answers-prayers-but-he-doesn-t-always-answer-it-your-way/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [If you burn your neighbors house down, it doesn't make your house look any better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/if-you-burn-your-neighbors-house-down-it-doesn-t-make-your-house-look/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) [Explore all 226 Lou Holtz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) ## More Breaks quotes > [“...between two rapid beats of my heart, someone else's breaks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandy-williams/between-two-rapid-beats-of-my-heart-someone-else-s-breaks/) [Sandy Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandy-williams/) > [When you cook a sausage, the skin sometimes breaks and the ground meat comes apart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-cook-a-sausage-the-skin-sometimes-breaks-and-the-ground-meat/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What I look for in a script is something that challenges me, something that breaks new ground, something that allows me to flex my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bay/what-i-look-for-in-a-script-is-something-that-challenges-me-something/) [Michael Bay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bay/) > [Since FDR's New Deal, corporations and wealthy families have been non-stop finding new ways to get tax breaks, deregulation and entitlements from the government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-mckay/since-fdr-s-new-deal-corporations-and-wealthy-families-have-been-non/) [Adam McKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-mckay/) > [Ambition devours gold and drinks blood and climbs so high by other men's heads, that at the length in the fall, it breaks its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-wentworth-1st-earl-of-strafford/ambition-devours-gold-and-drinks-blood-and-climbs-so-high-by-other/) Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford > [There is no secret to success except hard work and getting something indefinable which we call 'the breaks.' In order for a writer to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/there-is-no-secret-to-success-except-hard-work-and-getting-something/) [Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/) > [I hit Damian Fuller with a left hook that left him laid out for 30-45 minutes. They brought oxygen to him, they couldn't wake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-corrales/i-hit-damian-fuller-with-a-left-hook-that-left-him-laid-out-for-30-45/) [Diego Corrales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-corrales/) > [“Everyone breaks a little sometimes. That doesn't make you weak. It makes you wounded.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-kenner/everyone-breaks-a-little-sometimes-that-doesn-t-make-you-weak-it/) [J. Kenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenner/) > [You need to understand plant chemistry, be inured to discomfort and awesomely flexible. When something breaks down-the plane, the boat, you just have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kilham/you-need-to-understand-plant-chemistry-be-inured-to-discomfort-and/) [Chris Kilham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kilham/) > [You've got to be poised in and out of your breaks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deebo-samuel/you-ve-got-to-be-poised-in-and-out-of-your-breaks/) [Deebo Samuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deebo-samuel/) > [I'm a 6'4' guy who can run every route. I can get in and out of breaks like a 5'10' guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-green/i-m-a-6-4-guy-who-can-run-every-route-i-can-get-in-and-out-of-breaks/) [A. J. Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-green/) > [When a guy breaks up with you, make sure you show him that you are having a f\*ckin' good time without him and with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-parkin/when-a-guy-breaks-up-with-you-make-sure-you-show-him-that-you-are/) [Sophie Parkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-parkin/) > [Contact with the world either breaks or hardens the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-chamfort/contact-with-the-world-either-breaks-or-hardens-the-heart/) [Nicolas Chamfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-chamfort/) > [My heart breaks a little bit more every time I see you with her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-heart-breaks-a-little-bit-more-every-time-i-see-you-with-her/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We've had lots of breaks, especially over the last 10 years, so to still be getting together and to be able to get on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-kanal/we-ve-had-lots-of-breaks-especially-over-the-last-10-years-so-to/) [Tony Kanal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-kanal/) Browse all 359 Breaks quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lou Holtz" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/it-s-not-the-load-that-breaks-you-down-it-s-the-way-you-carry-it-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Breaks" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/it-s-not-the-load-that-breaks-you-down-it-s-the-way-you-carry-it-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/lou-holtz-1584_breaks_it-s-not-the-load-that-breaks-you-down-i_430810.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/lou-holtz-1584_breaks_it-s-not-the-load-that-breaks-you-down-i_430810.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b07/lou-holtz-1584_breaks_it-s-not-the-load-that-breaks-you-down-i_430810.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.” — Lou Holtz", "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": "Lou Holtz", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It's not the load that breaks...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/it-s-not-the-load-that-breaks-you-down-it-s-the-way-you-carry-it-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/it-s-not-the-load-that-breaks-you-down-it-s-the-way-you-carry-it-2/#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 } } ] } ```