evidence: No, this is not a quotation from Shakespeare. Although he uses the word "expectation" a fair bit, he does not say that it is the root of anything, or any similar statement. He uses "heartache" only the once, in that rather famous speech in Hamlet. [...] The Lord does not reward those who expect to receive. In doing so he would be giving to those who have asked, not those who deserve to receive. But you have to wonder why a good Lord would never answer those who seek him out. When expectation fails, it would make sense to expect a heartache, but that is an assumption in itself. For mysterious ways to work, He'd have to answer someone at some point whenever that isAlso.There is a scripture at Proverbs 13:12 that says: "Hope (or expectation)deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life." In general, waiting for something we long for can be SO difficult, but finally GETTING it renews our life and gives us great joy. Likewise, longing for the day of salvation in a world full of sadness can be difficult, literally 'making the heart sick', but we know that when that Day FINALLY comes it will be joyful and refreshing and life giving, like eating from the 'tree of life' (Revelation 2:7)