Open the history of the past at whatsoever page you will and there you shall find coincidence at work bringing about events that the merest chance might have averted. Indeed, coincidence may be defined as the tool used by Fate to shape the destinies of men and nations.
He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad.
In life we pay for the evil that in life we do.
...it is human nature, I suppose, to be futile and ridiculous.
He was suffering from the loss of an illusion.
Thirstily he set it to his lips, and as its cool refreshment began to soothe his throat, he thanked Heaven that in a world of much evil there was still so good a thing as ale.