A day of worry is more exhausting than a day of work.

The line contrasts productive exertion with the draining, circular labor of anxiety. “Work” implies effort directed toward an end—however tiring, it typically yields progress, structure, or tangible results. “Worry,” by contrast, consumes attention without resolving the problem it fixates on, multiplying fatigue through rumination and anticipatory fear. The aphorism also carries a moral-psychological admonition: conserve energy by acting where possible and refusing needless mental rehearsal where action is not possible. Its enduring appeal lies in naming a common experience—mental stress can feel heavier than physical or practical tasks—and in urging a shift from anxious preoccupation to purposeful activity.