---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If they tell u in life to expect the…"
description: "\"If they tell u in life to expect the unexpected. This makes the unexpected expected, which means they told u to expect nothing. Which is better than ex..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbd/melchor-lim-61_disappointment_if-they-tell-u-in-life-to-expect-the-une_2481036.jpg"
---

#  If they tell u in life to expect the unexpected. This…

![“If they tell u in life to expect the unexpected. This makes the unexpected expected, which means they told u to expect nothing. Which is better than expecting something from life and getting nothing” quote by Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbd/melchor-lim-61_disappointment_if-they-tell-u-in-life-to-expect-the-une_2481036.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbd/melchor-lim-61_disappointment_if-they-tell-u-in-life-to-expect-the-une_2481036.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbd/melchor-lim-61_disappointment_if-they-tell-u-in-life-to-expect-the-une_2481036.jpg)

> “If they tell u in life to expect the unexpected. This makes the unexpected expected, which means they told u to expect nothing. Which is better than expecting something from life and getting nothing”

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Expecting the unexpected paradoxically normalizes surprise, leading to a state where nothing is anticipated, which can be both liberating and unsettling.

**In simple terms:** Expecting surprise makes surprise normal.

Key Takeaway

Embrace uncertainty without fixed expectations.

Themes

uncertainty philosophy mindset

Mood

curious analytical

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

- career planning
- personal growth
- risk assessment
- creative projects

Key Concepts

paradox of expectation existential freedom

Questions to Reflect On

- How does expecting the unexpected affect motivation?
- Can this mindset improve resilience?

A Different Perspective

Living without expectations may cause aimlessness.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Disappointment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disappointment/) [Expect the unexpected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expect-the-unexpected/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/)

## Related quotes

> [Expect the unexpected because life is full of surprises. Things that you can't prevent from happening because they're meant to happen, but instead of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/expect-the-unexpected-because-life-is-full-of-surprises-things-that/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

> [If we were to expect the unexpected, then the unexpected would become expected, so we might as well say expect the expected, but then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-we-were-to-expect-the-unexpected-then-the-unexpected-would-become/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [~ Even if we know it will happen, it still hurts inside. Expect the unexpected and we might give ourselves a thought. ~](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince/even-if-we-know-it-will-happen-it-still-hurts-inside-expect-the/)

[Vince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince/)

> [In 'Pushpa,' you can expect the unexpected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devi-sri-prasad/in-pushpa-you-can-expect-the-unexpected/)

[Devi Sri Prasad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devi-sri-prasad/)

> [You can't spend you day wondering what's going to happen next. That takes the thrill out of living. Expect the unexpected! Live life!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-t-spend-you-day-wondering-what-s-going-to-happen-next-that/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [To expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/to-expect-the-unexpected-shows-a-thoroughly-modern-intellect/)

[Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/)

> [A good investor in this new world knows to always expect the unexpected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cramer/a-good-investor-in-this-new-world-knows-to-always-expect-the/)

[Jim Cramer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cramer/)

> [Everyone who has been to an Olympics says expect the unexpected. That kind of psychology games does go on, so I'm kind of expecting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libby-trickett/everyone-who-has-been-to-an-olympics-says-expect-the-unexpected-that/)

[Libby Trickett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libby-trickett/)

> [Expect the unexpected, because Life is full of surprise. Thing's that you can't explain and prevent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simpleman/expect-the-unexpected-because-life-is-full-of-surprise-thing-s-that/)

Simpleman

> [If someone ever tells you,Expect the unexpected, slap them in the face and say,Were you expecting that?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-someone-ever-tells-you-expect-the-unexpected-slap-them-in-the-face/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Expect things to go wrong, expect things to be different than we hoped or planned, expect the unexpected to happen. And accept it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominique-francon/expect-things-to-go-wrong-expect-things-to-be-different-than-we-hoped/)

[Dominique Francon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominique-francon/)

> [In life, you must expect the unexpected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-life-you-must-expect-the-unexpected/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Gotta stay prepared for anything. Expect the unexpected. Be strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/gotta-stay-prepared-for-anything-expect-the-unexpected-be-strong/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The cardinal rule for hosting the Miss USA and Miss Universe beauty pageants is to expect the unexpected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-barker/the-cardinal-rule-for-hosting-the-miss-usa-and-miss-universe-beauty/)

[Bob Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-barker/)

> [Past 'Drag Race' alum that I've spoken to, their biggest advice to me was, 'Expect the unexpected,' and, 'There's no way that you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aquaria/past-drag-race-alum-that-i-ve-spoken-to-their-biggest-advice-to-me/)

[Aquaria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aquaria/)

## More by Melchor Lim

> [The premises from which we begin are not arbitrary ones, not dogmas, but real premises from which abstraction can only be made in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/the-premises-from-which-we-begin-are-not-arbitrary-ones-not-dogmas/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

> [Beware of the strong possibility that any state of a human, whether good or bad, might be the case of any other fellow human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/beware-of-the-strong-possibility-that-any-state-of-a-human-whether/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

> [If you are too afraid of failure, you cant possibly do what needs to be done to succeed in living a fulfilling life. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-you-are-too-afraid-of-failure-you-cant-possibly-do-what-needs-to/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

> [Every day brings new lessons and new possibilities. There is always a way to take the next step forward on the path you've chosen.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/every-day-brings-new-lessons-and-new-possibilities-there-is-always-a/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

> [Money should be ones demand and command one should not become slave of money..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/money-should-be-ones-demand-and-command-one-should-not-become-slave/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

> [When you give your 100% to your compromises then they become sacrifices… And sacrifices never hurt us,they give us a smile on our face,a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/when-you-give-your-100-to-your-compromises-then-they-become/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

> [Instead of taking one step at a time, I run and fall on purpose. It makes life more fun. Besides you'll know when the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/instead-of-taking-one-step-at-a-time-i-run-and-fall-on-purpose-it/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

> [An obstacle is often a stepping stone... Things that appear to be obstacles are often helpful in the long run.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/an-obstacle-is-often-a-stepping-stone-things-that-appear-to-be/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

> [Set urself free…no guts no glory...live ur life the way u wnt it...and no regrets…u hve ur own way of a living...keep it up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/set-urself-free-no-guts-no-glory-live-ur-life-the-way-u-wnt-it-and-no/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

> [Success is not as sweet if youve never experienced failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/success-is-not-as-sweet-if-youve-never-experienced-failure/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

> [So many people wait around for the stars to align to do what they're here to do. The perfect moment, the perfect opportunity, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/so-many-people-wait-around-for-the-stars-to-align-to-do-what-they-re/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

> [When a boy tells a girl something she doesn't like she will remember it forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/when-a-boy-tells-a-girl-something-she-doesn-t-like-she-will-remember/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

> [The things you do determine the way people perceive you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/the-things-you-do-determine-the-way-people-perceive-you/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

> [If a girl cries for you, then think surely she loves you truly... ... and if a boy cries for you then don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-a-girl-cries-for-you-then-think-surely-she-loves-you-truly-and-if/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

> [If you want an interesting life. Become interested.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-you-want-an-interesting-life-become-interested/)

[Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

[Explore all 1,730 Melchor Lim quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/)

## More Disappointment quotes

> [Broken by hardships, disappointments and tragedy, people can become discouraged and cynical. But lives can also be mended. Put back together well, they won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-goodier/broken-by-hardships-disappointments-and-tragedy-people-can-become/)

[Steve Goodier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-goodier/)

> [We're raising children who have little tolerance for disappointment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/we-re-raising-children-who-have-little-tolerance-for-disappointment/)

[Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/)

> [Disappointment contains an appointment for doing much better. High expectations mean your higher capacity and belief in abilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasneem-hameed/disappointment-contains-an-appointment-for-doing-much-better-high/)

[Tasneem Hameed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasneem-hameed/)

> [“My earthly body has been a terrible disappointment to me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-chopin/my-earthly-body-has-been-a-terrible-disappointment-to-me/)

[Frédéric Chopin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-chopin/)

> [The compensations of calamity are made apparent to the understanding also, after long intervals of time. A fever, a mutilation, a cruel disappointment, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-compensations-of-calamity-are-made-apparent-to-the-understanding/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [The fear of not being good enough, the fear of disappointing other people and the fear of failure can really hurt one's personality and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/the-fear-of-not-being-good-enough-the-fear-of-disappointing-other/)

[Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/)

> [In trying not to disappoint others; we disappoint ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/in-trying-not-to-disappoint-others-we-disappoint-ourselves/)

[Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/)

> [Though there may be people in your life that support you and encourage you we have to realize that people are only human, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/though-there-may-be-people-in-your-life-that-support-you-and/)

[Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/)

> [There are still many more days of failure ahead, whole seasons of failure, things will go terribly wrong, you will have huge disappointments ,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/there-are-still-many-more-days-of-failure-ahead-whole-seasons-of/)

[Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/)

> [In all disappointments sympathy is a great balm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/in-all-disappointments-sympathy-is-a-great-balm/)

[Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/)

> [It is sometimes said that because of our past we, as a people, expect too much and set our sights too high. That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/it-is-sometimes-said-that-because-of-our-past-we-as-a-people-expect/)

[Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/)

> [I'm talking to anyone who has been dumped - have not gotten the job you really wanted or have received those horrible rejection letters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/i-m-talking-to-anyone-who-has-been-dumped-have-not-gotten-the-job-you/)

[Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/)

> [Think of your mind, your emotions, and your spirit as the ultimate garden. The way to ensure a bountiful, nourishing harvest is to plant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/think-of-your-mind-your-emotions-and-your-spirit-as-the-ultimate/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

> [Stop blaming others, whatever happens to you is nobody's fault if you get hurt because of disappointment is not the end of your life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemmy-nola/stop-blaming-others-whatever-happens-to-you-is-nobody-s-fault-if-you/)

[Kemmy Nola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemmy-nola/)

> [When disappointments knock you down, get back up and go again because out of our greatest rejection comes our greatest direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-disappointments-knock-you-down-get-back-up-and-go-again-because/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

[Browse all 2,467 Disappointment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disappointment/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "If they tell u in life to expect the unexpected. This makes the unexpected expected, which means they told u to expect nothing. Which is better than expecting something from life and getting nothing",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Melchor Lim"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-they-tell-u-in-life-to-expect-the-unexpected-this-makes-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Disappointment"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-they-tell-u-in-life-to-expect-the-unexpected-this-makes-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbd/melchor-lim-61_disappointment_if-they-tell-u-in-life-to-expect-the-une_2481036.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbd/melchor-lim-61_disappointment_if-they-tell-u-in-life-to-expect-the-une_2481036.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbd/melchor-lim-61_disappointment_if-they-tell-u-in-life-to-expect-the-une_2481036.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If they tell u in life to expect the unexpected. This makes the unexpected expected, which means they told u…” — Melchor Lim",
                "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": "Melchor Lim",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "If they tell u in life...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-they-tell-u-in-life-to-expect-the-unexpected-this-makes-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-they-tell-u-in-life-to-expect-the-unexpected-this-makes-the/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
