The Present Tense denotes an action or state (1) as now taking place or existing , and so (2) as incomplete in present time, or (3) as indefinite , referring to no particular time, but denoting a general truth: — senātus haec intellegit , cōnsul videt , hīc tamen vīvit (Cat. 1.2) , the senate knows this, the consul sees it, yet this man lives. tibi concēdō meās sēdīs (Div. 1.104) , I give you my seat (an offer which may or may not be accepted). exspectō quid velīs (Ter. And. 34) , I await your pleasure (what you wish). tū āctiōnem īnstituis , ille aciem īnstruit (Mur. 22) , you arrange a case, he arrays an army. [The present is here used of regular employment. ] minōra dī neglegunt (N. D. 3.86) , the gods disregard trifles. [General truth.] obsequium amīcōs, vēritās odium parit (Ter. And. 68) , flattery gains friends , truth hatred. [General truth.] The present of a general truth is sometimes called the Gnomic Present.