This paper is an elaboration of Freud's statement that 'people occasionally fall ill precisely because a deeply-rooted and long-cherished wish has come to fulfilment'. The guilt engendered by the success is closely connected with the achievement of forbidden success in the Oedipus complex. Minor forms of this phenomenon occur in the psychopathology of everyday life as well as in the neuroses. Many persons say of a pleasant day, 'Yes, it's nice, but wait till tomorrow'. Some greatly fear the envy of others if they gain possession of a new house or car or get a promotion. References are common to 'cruel fate'; we feel that our attempts to fulfil our wishes or gain our goals will meet with opposition, as if one must pay a price for anything one gets in life and is under some obligation to 'buy off' a threatening person.