S.A. Bent, comp. Familiar Short Sayings of Great Men. 1887.
Favorinus
[A philosopher and sophist in the reign of Hadrian; a native of Arles, in Gaul; resided in Rome, Greece, and Asia Minor, and obtained high distinction.]
It is ill arguing with the master of thirty legions.
Yielding to Hadrian in a rhetorical argument, when he probably remained of his original opinion.
“He that complies against his will
Is of the same opinion still.”
Hudibras, III. 3, 547.
Selden expressed a similar thought during the Civil War: “’Tis not seasonable to call a man traitor that has an army at his heels.”—Table-Talk (Traitor).
