---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Worry is a state of mind based upon fear…"
description: "\"Worry is a state of mind based upon fear. It works slowly, but persistently. It is insidious and subtle. Step by step it “digs itself in” until it para..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b86/napoleon-hill-201_confidence_worry-is-a-state-of-mind-based-upon-fear_891145.jpg"
---

#  Worry is a state of mind based upon fear. It works slowly…

![“Worry is a state of mind based upon fear. It works slowly, but persistently. It is insidious and subtle. Step by step it “digs itself in” until it paralyzes ones reasoning faculty, destroys self-confidence and initiative. Worry is a form of sustained fear caused by indecision therefore it is a…” quote by Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b86/napoleon-hill-201_confidence_worry-is-a-state-of-mind-based-upon-fear_891145.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b86/napoleon-hill-201_confidence_worry-is-a-state-of-mind-based-upon-fear_891145.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b86/napoleon-hill-201_confidence_worry-is-a-state-of-mind-based-upon-fear_891145.jpg)

> “Worry is a state of mind based upon fear. It works slowly, but persistently. It is insidious and subtle. Step by step it “digs itself in” until it paralyzes ones reasoning faculty, destroys self-confidence and initiative. Worry is a form of sustained fear caused by indecision therefore it is a state of mind which can be controlled.”

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

## About This Quote

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

Worry is a gradual, persistent fear that erodes confidence and decision‑making, but it can be managed through mental control.

**In simple terms:** Worry erodes confidence but can be controlled.

Key Takeaway

Practice mental discipline to curb worry.

Themes

fear confidence decision‑making

Mood

anxious motivational

Type

self‑help philosophical

When to use this quote

- stress management
- public speaking
- career choices
- personal relationships

Key Concepts

psychology self‑control

Questions to Reflect On

- What triggers your worry?
- How can you transform worry into action?

A Different Perspective

Worry can also motivate careful planning if channeled.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [State Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-mind/) [State of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-of-mind/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) [Step By Step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/step-by-step/) [Worry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worry/) [Worry Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worry-form-1148444/) [Worry State](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worry-state-1148443/)

## Related quotes

> [Worry is a state of mind based on fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/worry-is-a-state-of-mind-based-on-fear/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [I really worry about the state of the planet and I wish everyone would make a concerned effort not to trash it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwyneth-paltrow/i-really-worry-about-the-state-of-the-planet-and-i-wish-everyone/)

[Gwyneth Paltrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwyneth-paltrow/)

> [A state of mind is something that one assumes. It cannot be purchased, it must be created.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/a-state-of-mind-is-something-that-one-assumes-it-cannot-be-purchased/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [“Every person who wins in any undertaking must be willing to burn his ships and cut all sources of retreat. Only by so doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/every-person-who-wins-in-any-undertaking-must-be-willing-to-burn-his/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [Worry is a form of fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/worry-is-a-form-of-fear/)

[Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/)

> [A lot of the guys worry about their form. For me, it is just about being persistent and patient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shikhar-dhawan/a-lot-of-the-guys-worry-about-their-form-for-me-it-is-just-about/)

[Shikhar Dhawan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shikhar-dhawan/)

> [Worry is a form of arrogance, who am I to think I can fix my problems without God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-franklin/worry-is-a-form-of-arrogance-who-am-i-to-think-i-can-fix-my-problems/)

[Kirk Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-franklin/)

> [I think leadership is creating a state of mind in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/i-think-leadership-is-creating-a-state-of-mind-in-others/)

[Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/)

> [NVC gives us tools and understanding to create a more peaceful state of mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/nvc-gives-us-tools-and-understanding-to-create-a-more-peaceful-state/)

[Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/)

> [I do not believe in struggle. Struggle is a state of mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kubra-sait/i-do-not-believe-in-struggle-struggle-is-a-state-of-mind/)

[Kubra Sait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kubra-sait/)

> [“You have become her sadness and live in a different state of mind”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dostoyevsky/you-have-become-her-sadness-and-live-in-a-different-state-of-mind/)

[Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dostoyevsky/)

> [“I would like to meet myself sometime to see how I would look to myself. But I'd have to be in an extremely good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/multatuli/i-would-like-to-meet-myself-sometime-to-see-how-i-would-look-to/)

[Multatuli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/multatuli/)

> [“Beyond the silver span of the motor bridge lay basins of cracked mud the size of ballrooms - models of a state of mind,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-g-ballard-2/beyond-the-silver-span-of-the-motor-bridge-lay-basins-of-cracked-mud/)

[J.G. Ballard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-g-ballard-2/)

> [“Fun is not an activity, it is a state of mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/fun-is-not-an-activity-it-is-a-state-of-mind/)

[Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/)

> [The state of mind which I put myself when I tell a story is one in which superstition flourishes very easily. And I welcome…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-pullman/the-state-of-mind-which-i-put-myself-when-i-tell-a-story-is-one-in/)

[Philip Pullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-pullman/)

## More by Napoleon Hill

> [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [The best way to succeed in this world is to act on the advice you give to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-best-way-to-succeed-in-this-world-is-to-act-on-the-advice-you/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [A state of mind is something that one assumes. It cannot be purchased, it must be created.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/a-state-of-mind-is-something-that-one-assumes-it-cannot-be-purchased/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [The mind requires regular use to remain strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-mind-requires-regular-use-to-remain-strong/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [The vast majority of people are born, grow up, struggle and go through life in misery and failure, not realizing that it would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-vast-majority-of-people-are-born-grow-up-struggle-and-go-through/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [No accurate thinker will judge another person by that which the other person's enemies say about him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/no-accurate-thinker-will-judge-another-person-by-that-which-the-other/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [“To all these I wish to convey the thought that all achievement, no matter what may be its nature, or its purpose, must begin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/to-all-these-i-wish-to-convey-the-thought-that-all-achievement-no/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [“Tell the world what you intend to do, but first show it.” This”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/tell-the-world-what-you-intend-to-do-but-first-show-it-this/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [Handicaps can be converted into stepping stones on which one may climb toward some worthy goal, unless they are accepted as obstacles, and used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/handicaps-can-be-converted-into-stepping-stones-on-which-one-may/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [You become what you think about](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/you-become-what-you-think-about/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [Every man's own character is written so all who will may read it, in the expression of his eyes, the tone of his voice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/every-man-s-own-character-is-written-so-all-who-will-may-read-it-in/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [Life is a mirror of your consistent thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/life-is-a-mirror-of-your-consistent-thoughts/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [Success requires no explanations. Failure permits no alibis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/success-requires-no-explanations-failure-permits-no-alibis/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [The habit of taking the line of least resistance makes all rivers and some men crooked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-habit-of-taking-the-line-of-least-resistance-makes-all-rivers-and/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [“There are no limitations to the mind except those that we acknowledge.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/there-are-no-limitations-to-the-mind-except-those-that-we-acknowledge/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

[Explore all 928 Napoleon Hill quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

## 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": "Worry is a state of mind based upon fear. It works slowly, but persistently. It is insidious and subtle. Step by step it “digs itself in” until it paralyzes ones reasoning faculty, destroys self-confidence and initiative. Worry is a form of sustained fear caused by indecision therefore it is a state of mind which can be controlled.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Napoleon Hill"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/worry-is-a-state-of-mind-based-upon-fear-it-works-slowly-but/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Anxiety"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/worry-is-a-state-of-mind-based-upon-fear-it-works-slowly-but/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b86/napoleon-hill-201_confidence_worry-is-a-state-of-mind-based-upon-fear_891145.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b86/napoleon-hill-201_confidence_worry-is-a-state-of-mind-based-upon-fear_891145.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b86/napoleon-hill-201_confidence_worry-is-a-state-of-mind-based-upon-fear_891145.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Worry is a state of mind based upon fear. It works slowly, but persistently. It is insidious and subtle…” — Napoleon Hill",
                "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": "Napoleon Hill",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Worry is a state of mind...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/worry-is-a-state-of-mind-based-upon-fear-it-works-slowly-but/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/worry-is-a-state-of-mind-based-upon-fear-it-works-slowly-but/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
