句子使用了隐喻修辞，将抽象的忧虑具象化为流动的溪流，增强了表达的画面感。
Arthur Smass Locke once said: "Worry is the little stream of fear flowing across the heart. If the flow increases, it becomes a river that carries all thoughts away."
Indeed, worry has a tendency to self-amplify. Experienced horse trainers have witnessed this firsthand: when a herd of horses becomes startled, panic spreads and intensifies their running. When one horse happens to break into a gallop, the others notice and infer that danger is near. Consequently, they run faster, which makes them believe the threat is even closer, leading to an even more frantic sprint.
This irrational, self-reinforcing chain reaction occurs because individuals are constantly anxious when facing problems. They persistently fear that a severe threat is imminent; this possibility is so terrifying that it becomes a greater reason for worry. This leads to a cycle where sorrow upon sorrow is added. As the Dutch lady said: "Troubles are like babies; they grow larger the more attention they are given."
亚瑟·史马斯·洛克曾言：“忧虑是流过心头那条汇集恐惧的小溪。如果水流增加，它就会变成带动所以的思绪的河川。”
事实的确如此，忧虑往往具有自我增强的特性。经验丰富的驯马师对此深有体会：当马群受惊时，恐慌会迅速蔓延并加剧奔跑。若其中一匹马突然拔腿狂奔，其他马匹目睹后便推断附近存在危险，随即加速奔跑，进而认为危险更加迫近，最终导致整个马群更加疯狂地飞奔。
这种非理性的自我强化连锁反应，源于人们面对问题时的持续焦虑。他们始终担心严峻的威胁即将降临，而这种潜在的可能性本身就令人恐惧，从而构成了更深的担忧理由。如此循环往复，愁苦便层层叠加。正如荷兰夫人所言：“麻烦就像婴儿一样，有人照顾就越长越大。”