"Agere rem aliquam libidine, non ratione."[1]
In the same sense Sallust says:
"Iracundia pars est libidinis."
In another place in a milder and more general sense, which completely approaches the analytical use:
"Magisque in decoris armis et militaribus equis, quam in
scortis et conviviis libidinem habebant."[A]
Also:
"Quod si tibi bona libido fuerit patriæ, etc."
The use of libido is so general that the phrase "libido est scire" merely had the significance of "I will, it pleases me." In the phrase "aliquam libido urinæ lacessit" libido had the meaning of urgency. The significance of sexual desire is also present in the classics.
This general classical application of the conception agrees with the corresponding etymological context of the word, libido or lubido (with libet, more ancient lubet), it pleases me, and libens or lubens = gladly, willingly. Sanskrit, lúbhyati = to experience violent longing, lôbhayati = excites longing, lubdha-h = eager, lôbha-h = longing, eagerness. Gothic = liufs, and Old High German liob = love. Moreover, in Gothic, lubains was represented as hope; and Old High German, lobôn = to praise, lob = commendation, praise, glory; Old Bulgarian, ljubiti = to love, ljuby = love; Lithuanian, liáup-*
- ↑ Libido is used for arms and military horses rather than for dissipations
and banquets.
