When you suffer an attack of nerves you're being attacked by the nervous system. What chance has a man got against a system?

The quote "When you suffer an attack of nerves you're being attacked by the nervous system. What chance has a man got against a system?" by Russell Hoban plays on the dual meaning of the word system. On one level, it describes the physical experience of nervousness or anxiety—when the nervous system triggers symptoms like shaking, sweating, or rapid heartbeat. On another, it humorously frames this biological reaction as if it were a battle against an organized, almost bureaucratic system, implying the odds are stacked against the individual.

The meaning lies in its clever wordplay and the sense of helplessness it conveys. By equating a personal anxiety attack with fighting an entire system, Hoban highlights how overwhelming and involuntary such moments can feel. Just as one person often feels powerless against a large institution, a person facing their own overactive nervous system may feel they have little control over the reaction.

The origin of the quote can be traced to Hoban’s style as a writer—known for his wit, philosophical undertones, and blending of humor with serious observations about life. This remark reflects his ability to turn a common human experience, like being nervous, into a pointed reflection on the struggles of human agency.

Ultimately, Hoban uses this phrase to underscore the irony of human existence: we are both the “man” and the “system” in this battle, yet when our nervous system decides to stage an attack, it’s as if the system has already won before we even begin to fight back.