Saturday 1 March 2008

Nolens volens

Whether unwilling or willing.

 

Events have put NATO in a position where it is the policeman of Europe and beyond, nolens volens.

-- "NATO then Nato now", Daily Telegraph, April 23, 1999

 

After all, I'm not sure that I'm so angry with them, for it means that now you've got to remain here indefinitely -- nolens volens.

-- Mina McDonald, "True Stories Of The Great War: Some Experiences In Hungary", History of the World, January 1, 1992

 

Nolens volens is from the Latin, from nolle, "to be unwilling" + velle, "to wish, to be willing."

 

from dictionary.com

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