Chapter 18. The Perfect Subjunctive

An (interrog. particle): whether; or (in a question); it can also start a direct question. Prūdenter (adv.): wisely. Cōgitāverim is the first person singular perfect subjunctive form of cōgitō, cōgitāre, cōgitāvī, cōgitātum (1): to think; plan (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Nesciō, nescīre, nescīvī/nesciī, nescītum (4): to not know.

Fūmantem is the m/f accusative singular form of fūmāns, fūmantis (3): smoking, fuming—the present active participle (see Chapter 38) of fūmō, fūmāre, fūmāvī, — (1): to smoke, fume. Nāsum is the accusative singular form of nāsus, nāsī (2m): nose. Ursus, ursī (2m): bear. Nē (adv.): not (in a command or wish). Tentāverīs is the second person singular perfect subjunctive form of tentō, tentāre, tentāvī, tentātum (1—also temptō): to handle, feel; put to the test; tempt; agitate (subjunctive because it’s jussive: a negative command).

Interrogās is the second person singular form of interrogō, interrogāre, interrogāvī, interrogātum (1): to ask; interrogate. Quam (interrog. adv.): how (much)? to what degree? Diū (adv.): long, for a long time. Rogāverit is the third person singular perfect subjunctive form of rogō, rogāre, rogāvī, rogātum (1): to ask, request (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).

Cum (conj.): when; since; while; although. Plūrimum (adv.): very much; most; generally. Labōrāverīmus is the first person plural perfect subjunctive form of labōrō, labōrāre, labōrāvī, labōrātum (1): to labor, toil, work; suffer (subjunctive because it’s in a concessive cum clause). Eōdem is the m/n ablative singular form of īdem/eadem/idem (adj.): the same. In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Statū is the ablative singular form of status, statūs (4m): status, state, condition. Sumus: we are.

Nē (adv.): not (in a command or wish). Tetigerītis is the second person plural perfect subjunctive form of tangō, tangere, tetigī, tāctum (3): to touch; affect. Neque /nec: (as conj.) and not, nor; (as adv.) neither, not either, not even. Gustāverītis is the second person plural perfect subjunctive form of gusto, gustāre, gustāvī, gustātum (1): to taste. Neque /nec: (as conj.) and not, nor; (as adv.) neither, not either, not even. Contrectāverītis is the second person plural perfect subjunctive form of contrectō, contrectāre, contrectāvī, contrectātum (1): to touch (repeatedly), handle (the verbs are subjunctive because these are commands).

(He’s warning about things that parents want for their children—things they think are good but aren’t.) Nōndum (adv.): not yet. Intellegis is the second person singular form of intellegō, intellegere, intellēxī, intellēctum (3): to understand, realize. Quantum is the accusative singular form of quantum, quantī (interrog. pron.): how great an amount? how much? Malum, malī (2n): evil; trouble, misfortune; misdeed; disease. Optāverint is the third person plural perfect subjunctive form of optō, optāre, optāvī, optātum (1): to choose, wish for, desire (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).

Mē is the accusative form of ego. Caecum is the m/n accusative singular form of caecus/caeca/caecum (1/2): blind. (A noun or pronoun and an adjective in the accusative case can convey an exclamatory meaning; this is called the exclamatory accusative.) Quī /quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Haec is the neuter accusative plural form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Ante (adv.): before, earlier, previously. Nōn: not. Vīderim is the first person singular perfect subjunctive form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see (Subjunctive because it’s in a causal quī clause. A relative clause with quī/quae/quod can take a subjunctive verb and acquire a causal or concessive meaning. In this illustration, the speaker is blind loosely “because” he didn’t foresee the things in question; more exactly, he is blind in that he didn’t foresee them.).

Malum is the accusative singular form of malum, malī (2n): evil; trouble, misfortune; misdeed; disease. Bene (adv.): well. Conditum is the m/n accusative singular form of conditus/condita/conditum (1/2): suppressed, buried—the perfect passive participle (see Chapter 39) of condō, condere, condidī, conditum (3): to store up, put away; bury; hide; suppress; found, establish; compose. Nē (adv.): not (in a command or wish). Mōverīs is the second person singular perfect subjunctive form of moveō, movēre, mōvī, mōtum (2): to move, stir; disturb (subjunctive because it’s a command).

(He’s talking about how to react calmly when someone offends you for the first time.) Cōgitēmus is the first person plural subjunctive form of cōgitō, cōgitāre, cōgitāvī, cōgitātum (1): to think, reflect; plan, intend (a hortatory subjunctive). Quam (interrog. adv.): how (much)? to what degree? Diū (adv.): long, for a long time. Placuerit is the third person singular perfect subjunctive form of placeō, placēre, placuī, placitum (2): to please, be pleasing to; meet with approval (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).

Ea is the neuter accusative plural form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Verba is the accusative plural form of verbum, verbī (2n): word. Ita (adv.): thus, so, in this way. Prōrsum (adv.): forward, straight ahead; quite, absolutely, thoroughly. Amāvimus is the first person plural perfect form of amō, amāre, amāvī, amātum (1): to love. Ut (conj.): that. Meminī, meminisse, — (3; perfect forms have present meaning): to remember. Etiam (particle): even. Studuerīmus is the first person plural perfect subjunctive form of studeō, studēre, studuī, — (2): to be eager; be diligent, apply oneself to, take pains about.

Nē (adv.): not (in a command or wish). Ergō (particle): therefore, then. Timuerītis is the second person plural perfect subjunctive form of timeō, timēre, timuī, — (2): to fear, be afraid (subjunctive because it’s a command). Eōs is the masculine accusative plural form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that.

(A lawyer’s claim in court: he has witnesses.) Dabō is the first person singular future form of dō, dare, dedī, datum (1, irreg.): to give; offer; bring forward (proof, evidence, etc.). Quī is the masculine nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what (in the plural: they who, those who). Vīderint is the third person plural perfect subjunctive form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see (subjunctive because it’s in a relative clause of characteristic: such people as saw).

(That is, progress in Stoicism.) Optāverim is the first person singular perfect subjunctive form of optō, optāre, optāvī, optātum (1): to choose, wish for, desire. Nōbīs is the dative form of nōs: we (for us). Hoc is the neuter accusative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Magis (adv.): more; rather. Quam (rel. adv.): than; as. Prōmīserim is the first person singular perfect subjunctive form of prōmittō, prōmittere, prōmīsī, prōmissum (3): to promise (the two verbs are subjunctive because they describe potentials).

Nē (adv.): not (in a command or wish). Dīxerīs is the second person singular perfect subjunctive form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say (subjunctive because it’s a command).

Quid (interrog. adv.): why? Quaeris is the second person singular form of quaerō, quaerere, quaesīvī/quaesiī, quaesītum (3): to ask; seek. Quamdiū (interrog. adv.): how long? (May also be written as two words: quam = how; diū = long.) Vīxerit is the third person singular perfect subjunctive form of vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctum (3): to live (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).

Is/ea/ id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Agendus/agenda/ agendum (1/2): (having/needing) to be done (a gerundive; see Chapter 41); id agendum est has the rough meaning this must be done or we must do this. Est: is. Ut (conj.): that, so that. Satis (adv.): enough. Vīxerīmus is the first person plural perfect subjunctive form of vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctum (3): to live (subjunctive because it’s expressing a purpose or result).

Nihil (n, indeclinable, nom. or acc. only—here acc.): nothing. Tulerītis is the second person plural perfect subjunctive form of ferō, ferre, tulī, lātum (3, irreg.): to carry, bring, bear; endure (subjunctive because it’s a command). In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Viā is the ablative singular form of via, viae (1f): road, path, way.

Cum (conj.): when; since; while; although. Illum is the masculine accusative singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that; he, she, it. Hominēs is the nominative plural form of homō, hominis (3m): man, human. Nōn: not. Tulerint is the third person plural perfect subjunctive form of ferō, ferre, tulī, lātum (3, irreg.): to carry, bear; endure (subjunctive because it’s in an adversative cum clause). Tē is the accusative form of tū: you. Ferent is the third person plural future form of ferō, ferre, tulī, lātum (3, irreg.): to carry, bear; endure.

Ubi (interrog. adv.): where? Ego: I. Audīverim is the first person singular perfect subjunctive form of audiō, audīre, audīvī/audiī, audītum (4): to hear (subjunctive because it’s describing a potential).

Nē (adv.): not (in a command or wish). Fastīdierīs is the second person singular perfect subjunctive form of fastīdiō, fastīdīre, fastīdīvī/fastīdiī, fastīdītum (4): to feel disgust; be disdainful, disdain (to). Nōs is the accusative form of nōs: we. In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Sacerdōtum is the genitive plural form of sacerdōs, sacerdōtis (3m/f): priest, priestess. Numerum is the accusative singular form of numerus, numerī (2m): number. Accipiō, accipere, accēpī, acceptum (3, –iō): to receive, accept, take.

Metuō, metuere, metuī, metūtum (3): to fear, be afraid, dread. Nē (conj. , with subjunctive): lest, that not; that (in a fear clause). Dē (prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes the ablative). Hāc is the feminine ablative singular form of hic/haec/hoc (adj.): this. Rē is the ablative singular form of rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair. Quispiam/quaepiam/ quippiam (pron.): anyone, anything; someone, something. Indaudīverit is the third person singular perfect subjunctive form of indaudiō, indaudīre, indaudīvī/indaudiī, indaudītum (4—also inaudiō): to hear (of) (something secret), get wind of (subjunctive because it’s in a fear clause).

Meritō (adv.): deservedly, justly, rightly. Hic/haec/ hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Nōbīs is the dative form of nōs: we. Fit is the third person singular form of fīō, fierī, —, — (irreg.): to be done; be made; become; happen. Quī is the masculine nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Quidem (particle): indeed, certainly, in fact. Hūc (adv.): here (as a destination), to this place. Vēnerīmus is the first person plural perfect subjunctive form of veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum (4): to come (subjunctive because it’s in a causal quī clause; see p. (me caecum qui.)).

Indicābitis is the second person plural future form of indicō, indicāre, indicāvī, indicātum (1): to point out; show, reveal; betray. Prīncipēs is the nominative plural form of prīnceps, prīncipis (3m): prince, leader, ruler, emperor. Eius is the m/f/n genitive singular form of is/ea/id (adj.): this, that. Ōrdō, ōrdinis (3m): class, condition, rank; order, arrangement. Quīnquāgintā (indeclinable numeral): fifty. Quid is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Cum (prep.): with (takes the ablative). Omnibus is the m/f/n ablative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): every; all; (in the masculine plural) all people, everyone. Sēnserītis is the second person plural perfect subjunctive form of sentiō, sentīre, sēnsī, sensum (4): to feel; perceive, notice; think (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).

Volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish. Igitur (conj.): therefore, so. Videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see. Quid is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Invēnerint is the third person plural perfect subjunctive form of inveniō, invenīre, invēnī, inventum (4): to find (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).

Quantō is the m/n ablative singular form of quantus/quanta/quantum (1/2, interrog. adj.): how great? how much? Fuerim is the first person singular perfect subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Dolōre is the ablative singular form of dolor, dolōris (3m): pain. Meministī is the second person singular form of meminī, meminisse, — (3; perfect in form but present in meaning): to remember.

(. . . if you don’t want to get angry. In other words, don’t try to hear things that you’re better off not knowing.) Nē (adv.): not (in a command or wish). Fuerīs is the second person singular perfect subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s jussive). Cūriōsus /cūriōsa/cūriōsum (1/2): curious, inquisitive.

Quī/ quae /quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Causa, causae (1f): cause, reason. Fuerit is the third person singular perfect subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Discordia, discordiae (1f): disagreement, discord. Nesciō, nescīre, nescīvī/nesciī, nescītum (4): to not know.

Sed (conj.): but. Fuerīmus is the first person plural perfect subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s hortatory). Omnēs is the m/f nominative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): all; every.

(He’s approximately quoting Phil. 4:5-6; but the verb in the Vulgate is sītis rather than fuerītis). Dominus, dominī (2m): lord, master. In (prep): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into. Proximō is the m/n ablative singular form of proximus/proxima/proximum (1/2): next; nearest, closest; very near, very close (used substantively)—the superlative form of propinquus/propinqua/propinquum (1/2): near, close. In proximō = close at hand. Est: is. Nihil (n, indeclinable, nom. or acc. only—here acc.): nothing; (used adverbially in the accusative) with respect to nothing, in no respect, not at all. Sollicitī is the masculine nominative plural form of sollicitus/sollicita/sollicitum (1/2): disturbed, troubled, anxious. Fuerītis is the second person plural perfect subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s jussive).

Concēdant is the third person plural subjunctive form of concēdō, concēdere, concessī, concessum (3): to depart, withdraw; give in, submit; concede (a jussive subjunctive). Ut (conj.): that. Virī is the nominative plural form of vir, virī (2m): man. Bonī is the masculine nominative plural form of bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good. Fuerint is the third person plural perfect subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. (Ut with a subjunctive verb can form a substantive clause (i.e., a clause that works as one big noun) after various types of verbs—commanding, wishing, allowing, conceding, etc. We’ve seen indirect commands before: indirect commands are one type of substantive clause. Here the clause is the direct object of concēdant. The idea is figuratively—in the form of an acknowledgment—making it so that the men were good.)

Percute is the singular imperative form of percutiō, percutere, percussī, percussum (3, –iō): to strike, sometimes implying mortally. Mē is the accusative form of ego. Nē (conj. , with subjunctive): lest, that not. Forte (adv.): by chance; perhaps. Dīcātur is the third person singular passive subjunctive form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say (subjunctive because it’s in a purpose clause). Quod (conj.): that; the fact that; as for the fact that; because. Ab/ ā (prep.): from; by (takes the ablative). Fēminā is the ablative singular form of fēmina, fēminae (1f): woman. Interfectus sim is the first person masculine singular perfect passive subjunctive form of interficiō, interficere, interfēcī, interfectum (3, –iō): to kill (subjunctive because it’s indirect speech).

When the verb of saying is passive (like be said), the classical approach is a little different. The passive verb of saying more commonly agrees with the subject of the infinitive, and the subject (if expressed) is put in the nominative case. Here that would be nē dīcar ā fēminā interfectus esse = literally, lest I be said to have been killed by a woman. The verb dīcar is first person singular to agree with the implied subject (I). If the meaning were lest you be said, the verb would be dīcāris, etc.

(They refers to cities: cīvitās, cīvitātis (3f).) Sī (conj.): if. Tū: you. Absolūtus sīs is the second person masculine singular perfect passive subjunctive form of absolvō, absolvere, absolvī, absolūtum (3): to loosen; release; acquit (subjunctive because the sī subordinate clause is part of indirect speech). Sē is the accusative form of the reflexive pronoun. Funditus (adv.): from the bottom; utterly, entirely. Ēversās is the feminine accusative plural form of ēversus/ēversa/ēversum (1/2) is the perfect passive participle (overturned; overthrown; ruined) of ēvertō, ēvertere, ēvertī, ēversum (3): to overturn; overthrow; ruin. Esse: to be. Arbitrantur is the third person plural form of arbitror, arbitrārī, arbitrātus sum (1, deponent): to observe; think, suppose.

Adulēscentī is the dative singular form of adulēscēns, adulēscentis (3m/f): youth, young man or woman. Aliī is the masculine nominative plural form of alius/alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another. Nārrant is the third person plural form of nārrō, nārrāre, nārrāvī, nārrātum (1): to narrate, report, tell. Ut (interrog. adv.): how? Rēs, reī (5f): thing; matter, affair. Gesta sit is the third person feminine singular perfect passive subjunctive form of gerō, gerere, gessī, gestum (3): to bear, carry; carry on, transact, conduct, do, accomplish; wage (war). Lēnōnem is the accusative singular form of lēnō, lēnōnis (3m): pimp. Abiisse is the perfect infinitive form of abeō, abīre, abiī, abitum (irreg.): to depart, go away.

Loquere is the singular imperative form of loquor, loquī, locūtus sum (3, deponent): to speak. Porrō (adv.): further; moreover. Quis/quis/ quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Sit āctum is the third person neuter singular perfect passive subjunctive form of agō, agere, ēgī, āctum (3): to drive, put in motion; do; act (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).

Victī (sīmus) is the first person masculine plural perfect passive subjunctive form of vincō, vincere, vīcī, victum (3): to conquer, defeat, subdue; win, be victorious. Dēnique (adv.): finally, at last; besides; in a word, in short. Sīmus: part of a phrase with victī. #see victī)% An (interrog. particle): whether; or (in a question); it can also start a direct question. Vīcerīmus is the first person masculine plural perfect form of active form of vincō, vincere, vīcī, victum (3): to conquer, defeat, subdue; win, be victorious (both verbs are subjunctive because they’re in an indirect question).

Este is the plural imperative form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Precor, precārī, precātus sum (1, deponent): to pray; beg. Memorēs is the m/f nominative plural form of memor, memoris (3, adj.): mindful, remembering. Quā is the feminine ablative singular form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. adj.): which. . . ? what. . . ? Sītis creātī is the second person masculine plural perfect passive subjunctive form of creō, creāre, creāvī, creātum (1): to procreate, beget; create, make; elect, appoint. Stirpe is the ablative singular form of stirps, stirpis (3f): stem; family, stock; origin, source.

Ab /ā (prep.): (away) from; by (takes the ablative). Utrō is the m/n ablative singular form of uter/utra/utrum (interrog. pron. , 1/2, irreg.): which (of two)? Factae sint is the third person feminine plural perfect passive subjunctive form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make. (Cicero is talking about a plot: īnsidiae, īnsidiārum (1f, plural only), hence the feminine gender and plural number of the verb.) Incertus/incerta/ incertum (1/2): uncertain, doubtful, not known. Est: it is.

Posteāquam (conj.): after. Illinc (adv.): from there. Dēcēdō, dēcēdere, dēcessī, dēcessum (3): to depart, withdraw; die. Quae is the neuter nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which? in the neuter plural: what things? Sint gesta is the third person neuter plural perfect passive subjunctive form of gerō, gerere, gessī, gestum (3): to bear, carry; carry on, transact, conduct, do, accomplish; wage (war). Cognōscite is the plural imperative form of cognōscō, cognōscere, cognōvī, cognitum (3): to learn, get to know; recognize.

Vōs: you (pl.). Vīdistis is the second person plural perfect form of videō, vidēre, vīdī, vīsum (2): to see Quod (conj.): that; the fact that; as for the fact that; because. Dē (prep.): from, down from; about, concerning (takes the ablative). Caelō is the ablative singular form of caelum, caelī (2n): sky, heaven. Locūtus sim is the first person masculine singular perfect subjunctive form of loquor, loquī, locūtus sum (3, deponent): to speak (subjunctive because it’s indirect speech). Vōbīs is the dative form of vōs: you (pl.). (This is another example of the quod construction replacing the classical accusative-and-infinitive one. A classical author would also have written vōbīscum instead of vōbīs — loquor is usually constructed with cum + ablative of the person spoken with or to.)

Nōn: not. Dubitō, dubitāre, dubitāvī, dubitātum (1): to doubt; hesitate. Quīn (conj.): after a negated verb of doubt, this word means but that or simply that; in many of its uses, including this one, quīn is followed by a subjunctive verb. Admīrātus sīs is the second person masculine singular perfect subjunctive form of admīror, admīrārī, admīrātus sum (1, deponent): to regard with wonder; be surprised or astonished; admire.

Nesciō, nescīre, nescīvī/nesciī, nescītum (4): to not know. Inquit is the third person singular form of inquam (irreg. and defective): to say (inquit = he/she/it says or said). Quī is the masculine nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (interrog. pron.): which (one)? (in m. pl.) what people? who? Convīciātī sint is the third person masculine plural perfect subjunctive form of convīcior, convīciārī, convīciātus sum (1, deponent): to revile, insult (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question).