| Quĭd est ălĭud quam rĕlēgātĭōnem păti? | What else is it but suffering banishment? |
| Alĭīs displĭcet tōtum hōc phĭlŏsŏphāri | All this philosophising displeases others. |
| Inūsĭtātūm est rēgem rĕum căpĭtĭs essĕ | A king's being tried on a capital charge is unusual. |
The Infinitive with Quasi-impersonal Verbs like lĭcĕt, was originally a Complement: ĭcĕt mĭhĭ īrĕ was it is permitted to me to go, rather than going is permitted to me. Hence, Adjectives, etc., which refer to the subject of the Infinitive are usually in the Dat. [according to § 205 (2)], though the Ace. is found by 205 (1): bĕātō tĭbĭ essĕ licĕt it is permitted to you to be happy; tē bĕātūm essĕ lĭcĕt your being happy is permitted.
§ 373. If the Subject of the Infinitive is Indefinite, it is generally omitted. An Adjective, etc., referring to it is put in the Ace. Singular.
| Făcĭnŭs est mortem sĭbĭ cōnscīrĕ | It is a crime to kill oneself. |
| Incŏlŭmem rĕdīrĕ lĭcĕt | One may return unhurt. |
§ 374. Infinitive as Complement.—Several Verbs whose sense is incomplete have a Complement in the Infinitive referring to the action of the subject.
To Verbs of habit, inclination,
Intention, power, and obligation.
Beginning, end, and so forth, give
Construction with Infinitive.
| Cŭpĭō lŏquī sĕd nōn audĕō | I wish to speak, but dare not. |
| Et pŏtĕs lŏquī ĕt dēbēs | You can and ought to speak. |
| Vincĕrĕ scĭt | He knows how to conquer. |
So Quasi-Impersonal Verbs and phrases, § 167.
| Flet qu|ŏ|d īrĕ nĕcessĕ est | She weeps because she must go. |
| Lĭcĕt antestārī? | May I call (you) to witness? |
| Mĭgrārĕ Vēiōs rēlĭgĭō fŭĭt | Religious scruples were felt about removing to Veii. |
§ 375. Certain Transitive Verbs, chiefly of instructing and compelling, take an Infinitive of the action prescribed.
This Infinitive is retained in the Passive.
| Lŭpōs ŭlŭlārĕ dŏcētō | Teach wolves to howl. |
| Portās ădīrĕ vĕtĭtī sunt | They were forbidden to approach the gates. |
