Meaning of nolo episcopari | Babel Free

Definitions

Expressing a facetiously modest refusal of something which is actually desired.

Equivalents

Examples

“He soon found means to make⟳ his addresses, in express⟳ terms, to his mistress, from whom he received an answer⟳ in the proper form⟳, viz.: the answer⟳ which was first made some thousands of years ago, and which hath been handed down by tradition from mother to daughter ever since. If I were to translate⟳ this into Latin, I should render it by these two words, Nolo Episcopari: a phrase likewise of immemorial use⟳ on another occasion.”

“their Leader – for so, in spite of his Nolo episcopari, we must presume to call⟳ him — has given in his Elbing Letter so distinct a pledge – not merely of opinions, but of actual designs if his ministerial career had not been arrested – that we have⟳ little doubt⟳ that [...] Sir Robert Peel will substantially forward⟳ there measures, whoever may propose⟳ them.”

“‘Nolo episcopari,’ he urges in grateful deprecation.”

“Carlyle's hero may say⟳, "I will be king"; but the Christian saint must say⟳ "Nolo episcopari." If the great paradox of Christianity means anything, it means this—that we must take⟳ the crown in our hands, and go hunting in dry places and dark corners of the earth until we find⟳ the one man who feels himself unfit to wear⟳ it.”

CEFR level