§439. Subjunctive Mood

The Hortatory Subjunctive is used in the present tense to express an exhortation or a command. The negative is nē.

• hōs latrōnēs interficiāmus (B. G. 7.38), let us kill these robbers.
• caveant intemperantiam, meminerint verēcundiae (Off. 1.122), let them shun excess and cherish modesty.

a. The Second Person of the hortatory subjunctive is used only of an indefinite subject, except in prohibitions, in early Latin, and in poetry:—

• iniūriās fortūnae, quās ferre nequeās, dēfugiendō relinquās (Tusc. 5.118), the wrongs of fortune, which you cannot bear, leave behind by flight.
• exoriāre aliquis ultor (Aen. 4.625), rise, some avenger.
• istō bonō ūtāre dum adsit, cum absit nē requīrās (Cat. M. 33), use this blessing while it is present; when it is wanting do not regret it.
• doceās iter et sacra ōstia pandās (Aen. 6.109), show us the way and lay open the sacred portals.

For Negative Commands (prohibitions), see § 450.

b. The Imperfect and Pluperfect of the hortatory subjunctive denote an unfulfilled obligation in past time:—

• morerētur, inquiēs (Rab. Post. 29), he should have died, you will say.
• potius docēret (Off. 3.88), he should rather have taught.
• nē poposcissēs (Att. 2.1.3), you should not have asked.
• saltem aliquid dē pondere dētrāxisset (Fin. 4.57), at least he should have taken something from the weight.