[Speech] NOTHING IS CERTAIN EXCEPT DEATH AND TAXES. - Benjamin Franklin’s Observation on Inevitability

Comment on the inevitability of death and taxes

Benjamin Franklin humorously remarked that "Nothing is certain except death and taxes," in a letter reflecting on the new U.S. Constitution. This quip encapsulates Franklin’s wit and his philosophical reflection on life’s certainties. Over time, this phrase has permeated popular culture and discourse as a common saying to express the inevitability of certain aspects of life. Franklin’s multifaceted legacy as a scientist, diplomat, and philosopher is often punctuated with such insightful and pithy observations, highlighting his profound understanding of human nature and society.

Background

1. Benjamin Franklin

2. Founding Father and Inventor

3. In a letter to Jean-Baptiste Leroy, 1789