[46] Why did the men of old keep the temple of Horta continually open?
Is it, as Antistius Labeo has stated, that since “to urge on” is expressed by hortari, Horta is the goddess who urges us on, as it were, and incites us to noble actions: and thus they thought that, since she was ever active, she should never be procrastinating nor shut off by herself nor unemployed?
Or rather do they call her, as at present, Hora, with the first syllable lengthened, an attentive and very considerate goddess, who, since she was protective and thoughtful, they felt was never indifferent nor neglectful of human affairs?
Or is this too, like many other Latin words, a Greek word, and does it signify the supervising and guardian goddess? Hence her temple was continually open since she neither slumbers nor sleeps.
If, however, Labeo be right in pointing out that Hora is derived from “ parorman ” [108] (to urge on), consider whether we must not declare that orator is thus to be derived, since an orator is a counsellor or popular leader who stimulates, as it were, and incites: and it is not to be derived from “imprecating” or “praying” (orare), as some assert.