--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never expect anything,’ said Marthe…" description: "\"“I never expect anything,’ said Marthe. ‘It provides a level, low-pitched existence with no disappointments.’ ‘I’m all for a level, low-pitched existen..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/186/dorothy-dunnett-1876_life_i-never-expect-anything-said-marthe-it-p_2099433.jpg" --- # I never expect anything,’ said Marthe. ‘It provides a… ![“I never expect anything,’ said Marthe. ‘It provides a level, low-pitched existence with no disappointments.’ ‘I’m all for a level, low-pitched existence,’ said Philippa. ‘And when you see your way back to one, for heaven’s sake don’t forget to tell me.’ At which Marthe, surprisingly, laughed aloud.” quote by Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/186/dorothy-dunnett-1876_life_i-never-expect-anything-said-marthe-it-p_2099433.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/186/dorothy-dunnett-1876_life_i-never-expect-anything-said-marthe-it-p_2099433.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/186/dorothy-dunnett-1876_life_i-never-expect-anything-said-marthe-it-p_2099433.jpg) > ““I never expect anything,’ said Marthe. ‘It provides a level, low-pitched existence with no disappointments.’ ‘I’m all for a level, low-pitched existence,’ said Philippa. ‘And when you see your way back to one, for heaven’s sake don’t forget to tell me.’ At which Marthe, surprisingly, laughed aloud.”” [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Characters discuss a simple, disappointment‑free life, yet hint at deeper connections and missed opportunities. **In simple terms:** They value a calm life but fear missing out. Key Takeaway Balance simplicity with meaningful connections. Themes contentment friendship existential choice communication Mood philosophical conversational Type introspective thoughtful When to use this quote - personal relationships - career decisions - self‑reflection Key Concepts philosophy human connection life balance Questions to Reflect On - What does “level, low‑pitched existence” mean to you? - How do you reconcile safety with growth? A Different Perspective Simplicity may ignore deeper fulfillment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Expect Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expect-said-407198/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Marthe Provides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marthe-provides-4187317/) [Marthe Surprisingly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marthe-surprisingly-4187315/) [Said Marthe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-marthe-4187316/) [Said Philippa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-philippa-657965/) ## Related quotes > [“I do admire efficiency,’ said Marthe. ‘But how tedious it can be in excess.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/i-do-admire-efficiency-said-marthe-but-how-tedious-it-can-be-in-excess/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [“There was a silence. Then: ‘What you are saying,’ said Philippa slowly, ‘is that the child Khaireddin would be better unfound?’ The Dame de…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/there-was-a-silence-then-what-you-are-saying-said-philippa-slowly-is/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [“Jerott’s hand increased its grip on her arm. ‘He is an island with all its bridges wantonly severed. What hostage to evil,’ said Jerott,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/jerott-s-hand-increased-its-grip-on-her-arm-he-is-an-island-with-all/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [The coast's a jungle of Moors, Turks, Jews, renegades from all over Europe, sitting in palaces built from the sale of Christian slaves. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/the-coast-s-a-jungle-of-moors-turks-jews-renegades-from-all-over/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [It seems to me,’ said Philippa prosaically, ‘that on the whole we run more risks with Mr Crawford’s protection than without it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/it-seems-to-me-said-philippa-prosaically-that-on-the-whole-we-run/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [Only common mortals like the Somervilles have good old rotten hates, dear,' said her mother. 'Sir Graham manages to love everybody and wouldn't know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/only-common-mortals-like-the-somervilles-have-good-old-rotten-hates/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [“It won’t be long,’ said Philippa cheerfully, her mother’s ring in her voice. ‘You know what Bess says. 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That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) ## More by Dorothy Dunnett > [“I echo like a mynah, that’s why.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/i-echo-like-a-mynah-that-s-why/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [“Haven't I been worth five years' excellent gossip to you? 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