If you expect the worst, you'll never be disappointed.

The line expresses a defensive philosophy: by lowering expectations to the “worst-case” scenario, a person protects themselves from the pain of surprise or unmet hopes. It captures a common coping strategy—pessimism as emotional armor—suggesting that disappointment is largely a function of expectation. At the same time, the quote implies a trade-off: expecting the worst may reduce acute letdowns, but it can also narrow one’s openness to joy, trust, and possibility. In coming-of-age or relationship contexts (common in contemporary YA fiction), it often signals a character’s fear of vulnerability and the way cynicism can masquerade as wisdom.