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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.

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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).

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

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.

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