[pdimitar]

There's a very nice kernel of truth in that but come on, the way it's said is just an English-specific pun.

EDIT: to clarify: I 100% agree with the quote but I don't find puns a good medium through which to convey an eternal wisdom as that quote.

[timendum]

It works also in Italian and probably in Dutch, French, Swedish, Portuguese and Catalanl; the root is from Latin praesentāre (“to show”), common to all these languages (and others).

[qiskit]

Is present synonymous with "now" and "gift" in italian? Can you provide an example? Regardless, it certainly doesn't apply to chinese.

[timendum]

Correct, one example for gift:

- Ho portato questo piccolo presente per you. - I brought this small gift for you.

On for "now":

- Faresti meglio a pensare al presente. - You should be thinking more about your present.