Irony

Saying one thing while meaning another, often the opposite. The true meaning is left to whoever reads or hears.

In Don Quixote

they do not count as affronts the wounds given with whatever instruments happen to be at hand; and this is in the law of the duel, written in express words: that if a cobbler strikes another with the form he has in his hand, even if it is truly made of wood, it shall not therefore be said that the one it struck was beaten with a stick.

The "law of the duel," cited "in express words," serves to say that the beating does not count as a beating, and the solemnity of the rule makes the comfort of a man battered with sticks even funnier.

Part One: Marcela and the Inn, Don Quixote, to Sancho, after the muleteers' beating

if they are not seen, they are felt, said Sancho; if not, let my back say so.

Part One: Marcela and the Inn, Sancho Panza, to his master, at the inn taken for a castle

as if I did not know how many are five and where my shoe pinches! [...] being printed with the license of the lords of the Royal Council, as if they were people who would let so much lying be printed all together.

Part One: The Curious Impertinent, the innkeeper, to the priest, in defense of his books of chivalry

I could believe all that, replied Sancho, if my tossing in the blanket were that sort of thing; but it was not, it was real and true; and where people know one another, I hold, though simple and sinful, that there is no enchantment at all, but a great deal of beating and a great deal of bad luck.

Part One: The Curious Impertinent, Sancho Panza, to his master, at the inn

take this hand, lady, or, to put it better, this executioner of the world's evildoers; take this hand, I say, which no other woman's hand has ever touched, not even that of the one who holds full possession of my whole body.

Part One: The Arms and the Captive, Don Quixote, from atop Rocinante, to Maritornes, whom he takes for a lovesick maiden

the said author asks of those who read it, as a reward for the immense labor it cost him to inquire into and search all the Manchegan archives to bring it to light, nothing more than that they give it the same credit that the discerning customarily give to books of chivalry, which are so highly valued in the world.

Part One: The Cage and the Canon, the narrator, at the end of Part One

you would like me to call him an ass, an idiot, and a brazen fellow, but that does not even cross my mind: let his sin punish him, let him eat his bread and get on with it.

Part Two: The Printed Book, Cervantes, in the prologue to Part Two, to the reader

the generous lion, more restrained than arrogant, paying no heed to childish games or boasts, after looking to one side and the other, turned his back and showed Don Quixote his hindquarters, and with great phlegm and calm lay back down in the cage.

Part Two: Mirrors, Lions, and Camacho, the narrator, when the lion stands before the gentleman

they went back to being their beasts, and being beasts, Don Quixote and Sancho, and this was the end of the adventure of the enchanted boat.

Part Two: Montesinos and the Puppet Show, the narrator, at the end of the adventure of the boat

Sancho, since you want me to believe what you saw in the sky, I want you to believe me about what I saw in Montesinos's cave; and I will say no more.

Part Two: The Duke and Duchess and Clavileño, Don Quixote, in Sancho's ear, after the flight of the Cravelenho

neither depose a king, nor set one up, replied Sancho, but I help myself, for I am my own master.

Part Two: Ricote, Roque, and Barcelona, Sancho, to his master, when the latter tries to whip him by force

look up, longed-for homeland, and see that your son Sancho Panza returns to you, if not very rich, very well whipped. Open your arms and receive also your son Don Quixote, who, if he comes defeated by the arms of others, comes victorious over himself, which, as he told me, is the greatest victory one can desire. I bring money, for if they gave me good lashes, I would have gone a knight well enough.

Part Two: The Defeat and Death, Sancho, on his knees, on sighting the village, with his master at his side