--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I maintain that I never expect anything…" description: "\"I maintain that I never expect anything, therefore I'm always pleasantly surprised.\" — Lianne La Havas" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f6/lianne-la-havas-27089_always_i-maintain-that-i-never-expect-anything_2106558.png" --- # I maintain that I never expect anything, therefore I'm… ![“I maintain that I never expect anything, therefore I'm always pleasantly surprised.” quote by Lianne La Havas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f6/lianne-la-havas-27089_always_i-maintain-that-i-never-expect-anything_2106558.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f6/lianne-la-havas-27089_always_i-maintain-that-i-never-expect-anything_2106558.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f6/lianne-la-havas-27089_always_i-maintain-that-i-never-expect-anything_2106558.png) > “I maintain that I never expect anything, therefore I'm always pleasantly surprised.” [Lianne La Havas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lianne-la-havas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. By letting go of expectations, one stays open to unexpected joy and surprise. **In simple terms:** Expect nothing, enjoy surprises. Key Takeaway Release expectations to welcome delight. Themes mindfulness joy expectations surprise Mood content intrigued Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - daily interactions - creative work - relationships - travel - learning Key Concepts psychology gratitude presence Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance realistic planning with openness to surprise? - What habits help you stay receptive? A Different Perspective If expectations are too low, you may miss opportunities for growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Anything](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anything/) [Expect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expect/) [Expect Pleasantly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expect-pleasantly-3971716/) [Maintain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maintain/) [Maintain Expect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maintain-expect-1854142/) [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [Never expect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never-expect/) [Pleasantly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasantly/) [Pleasantly Surprised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasantly-surprised-1854143/) [Surprised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprised/) [Therefore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/therefore/) ## Related quotes > [I maintain that I never expect anything, therefore Im always pleasantly surprised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lianne-la-havas/i-maintain-that-i-never-expect-anything-therefore-im-always/) [Lianne La Havas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lianne-la-havas/) > [“expect nothing, be pleasantly surprised.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-pon/expect-nothing-be-pleasantly-surprised/) [cindy pon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-pon/) > [“I'd rather be a pessimist because then I can only be pleasantly surprised.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-franklin/i-d-rather-be-a-pessimist-because-then-i-can-only-be-pleasantly/) [Ben Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-franklin/) > [I've never had any idea that what I like would resonate with the audience, and I'm pleasantly surprised when it does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-petty/i-ve-never-had-any-idea-that-what-i-like-would-resonate-with-the/) [Tom Petty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-petty/) > [There's so much nonsense tossed around about L.A. and how horrible it is and 'don't go out there' and all that stuff. So I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-radnor/there-s-so-much-nonsense-tossed-around-about-l-a-and-how-horrible-it/) [Josh Radnor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-radnor/) > [I'd rather be pleasantly surprised than fatally disappointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-glass/i-d-rather-be-pleasantly-surprised-than-fatally-disappointed/) [Julia Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-glass/) > [I was pleasantly surprised that south directors started creating roles for me after watching 'Rakta Charitra.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhimanyu-singh/i-was-pleasantly-surprised-that-south-directors-started-creating/) [Abhimanyu Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhimanyu-singh/) > [I was pleasantly surprised after the book came out. It was like, hey, the home team put down a nice score.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rocco-dispirito/i-was-pleasantly-surprised-after-the-book-came-out-it-was-like-hey/) [Rocco DiSpirito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rocco-dispirito/) > [I've been sort of pleasantly surprised, by the extent to which a lot of people in D.C. are honestly just trying to figure out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-bankman-fried/i-ve-been-sort-of-pleasantly-surprised-by-the-extent-to-which-a-lot/) [Sam Bankman-Fried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-bankman-fried/) > [And I don't say that we didn't expect it, but we were pleasantly surprised to see the generosity of their foreign policy; and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianni-agnelli/and-i-don-t-say-that-we-didn-t-expect-it-but-we-were-pleasantly/) [Gianni Agnelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianni-agnelli/) > [I hope that comes to me pleasantly surprised and out me from the sea of Foodie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yns/i-hope-that-comes-to-me-pleasantly-surprised-and-out-me-from-the-sea/) [Yns-#](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yns/) > [Our thoughts about an event can have a dramatic effect on how we go through the event itself. When our expectations are low, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-beck/our-thoughts-about-an-event-can-have-a-dramatic-effect-on-how-we-go/) [Martha Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-beck/) > [“Oh, it won’t be as bad as I’m expecting,” he said. “That’s my trick. If I imagine the absolute worst, I can’t help but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/oh-it-won-t-be-as-bad-as-i-m-expecting-he-said-that-s-my-trick-if-i/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [After the many rumours that we had heard about Hitler and the published criticisms we had read about him, we were pleasantly impressed. His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hjalmar-schacht/after-the-many-rumours-that-we-had-heard-about-hitler-and-the/) [Hjalmar Schacht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hjalmar-schacht/) > [Manners, really good ones, make it possible to live with almost anyone, gracefully and pleasantly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/manners-really-good-ones-make-it-possible-to-live-with-almost-anyone/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) ## More by Lianne La Havas > [I maintain that I never expect anything, therefore Im always pleasantly surprised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lianne-la-havas/i-maintain-that-i-never-expect-anything-therefore-im-always/) [Lianne La Havas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lianne-la-havas/) > [I love Diane Keaton's style in 'Annie Hall,' but I like to think my own style is like a cross between 'Annie Hall' and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lianne-la-havas/i-love-diane-keaton-s-style-in-annie-hall-but-i-like-to-think-my-own/) [Lianne La Havas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lianne-la-havas/) > [Women who have strong identities, who know themselves, really inspire me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lianne-la-havas/women-who-have-strong-identities-who-know-themselves-really-inspire-me/) [Lianne La Havas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lianne-la-havas/) > [The dream never stops But I see the end before I wake up..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lianne-la-havas/the-dream-never-stops-but-i-see-the-end-before-i-wake-up/) [Lianne La Havas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lianne-la-havas/) > [When I write I find a quiet place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lianne-la-havas/when-i-write-i-find-a-quiet-place/) [Lianne La Havas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lianne-la-havas/) > [I quite like ABBA.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lianne-la-havas/i-quite-like-abba/) [Lianne La Havas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lianne-la-havas/) > [I love the music of Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu and more recently the music of Laura Marling. All these women share a strength…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lianne-la-havas/i-love-the-music-of-lauryn-hill-and-erykah-badu-and-more-recently-the/) [Lianne La Havas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lianne-la-havas/) > [Normally I begin writing a song with just with aim to express something, and sometimes I don't know what I want to express until…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lianne-la-havas/normally-i-begin-writing-a-song-with-just-with-aim-to-express/) [Lianne La Havas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lianne-la-havas/) > [Well, I like shopping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lianne-la-havas/well-i-like-shopping/) [Lianne La Havas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lianne-la-havas/) > [I highly recommend time to yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lianne-la-havas/i-highly-recommend-time-to-yourself/) [Lianne La Havas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lianne-la-havas/) > [I think I'm sort of blind to genre. As long as it has a sort of honesty about it, which I think you'll hear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lianne-la-havas/i-think-i-m-sort-of-blind-to-genre-as-long-as-it-has-a-sort-of/) [Lianne La Havas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lianne-la-havas/) > [I've always had this identity thing. When I was little, I was always changing my handwriting because I couldn't decide which one I liked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lianne-la-havas/i-ve-always-had-this-identity-thing-when-i-was-little-i-was-always/) [Lianne La Havas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lianne-la-havas/) > [It's really important that my lyrics are truthful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lianne-la-havas/it-s-really-important-that-my-lyrics-are-truthful/) [Lianne La Havas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lianne-la-havas/) > [I like to dress for my shape - I think it's important for women to do that generally - it makes me feel good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lianne-la-havas/i-like-to-dress-for-my-shape-i-think-it-s-important-for-women-to-do/) [Lianne La Havas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lianne-la-havas/) > [I love vintage and I shop vintage a lot because it's just such great value for money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lianne-la-havas/i-love-vintage-and-i-shop-vintage-a-lot-because-it-s-just-such-great/) [Lianne La Havas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lianne-la-havas/) [Explore all 21 Lianne La Havas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lianne-la-havas/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) [Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I maintain that I never expect anything, therefore I'm always pleasantly surprised.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lianne La Havas" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lianne-la-havas/i-maintain-that-i-never-expect-anything-therefore-i-m-always/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Always" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lianne-la-havas/i-maintain-that-i-never-expect-anything-therefore-i-m-always/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f6/lianne-la-havas-27089_always_i-maintain-that-i-never-expect-anything_2106558.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f6/lianne-la-havas-27089_always_i-maintain-that-i-never-expect-anything_2106558.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f6/lianne-la-havas-27089_always_i-maintain-that-i-never-expect-anything_2106558.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I maintain that I never expect anything, therefore I'm always pleasantly surprised.” — Lianne La Havas", "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": "Lianne La Havas", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lianne-la-havas/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I maintain that I never expect...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lianne-la-havas/i-maintain-that-i-never-expect-anything-therefore-i-m-always/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lianne-la-havas/i-maintain-that-i-never-expect-anything-therefore-i-m-always/#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 } } ] } ```