“no expectations meant no disappointments.”

Variant: Plant an expectation; reap a disappointment." (Quoting an old adage)
Source: Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage

Source: Lock and Key

Variant: Don't expect much, and you won't be disappointed.
Source: The Wizard Heir

Seed of Light (1959)

2010s, 2010, The joys of losing (2010)

Source: This Immortal (1965), p. 29

Letter to George William Fairfax (25 June 1786), published in The Writings Of George Washington (1835) by Jared Sparks, p. 175
1780s
Context: My manner of living is plain. I do not mean to be put out of it. A glass of wine and a bit of mutton are always ready; and such as will be content to partake of them are always welcome. Those, who expect more, will be disappointed, but no change will be effected by it.

Source: On the Edge

Source: The Bell Jar (1963), Ch. 5