Many coincidences […] soon begin to appear in them [Greek inscriptions] which realize ancient history to us.

He stopped midpursuit and turned around.

[W]hatever a young gentleman of that age says to you, he says to many other ladies; but your experience is not equal to your sense; so profit by mine . . . forewarned is forearmed.

Ironic humor is an instance of the more general phenomenon of self-distance (Contemporary Philosophy of Social Science, By Brian Faypage, Page 33)