Idioms and Expressions: “In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.” – Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin is one of the most important people in American history. He was one of the “Founding Fathers,” or one of the men who signed the original documents to form the United States and who were leaders in making the U.S. independent of Britain. He was an important “diplomat,” who represented the U.S. in other countries, and shaped how people saw the U.S. through his political activities and writings.

Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1706, and he became a newspaper editor and a “printer,” or someone whose job is to print books and papers. He wrote and published many books and articles, and is well known for the interesting and clever things he said and wrote. This quote, “In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes,” like many of his other quotes, is still well known and used today. The meaning of this quote is that people can never be sure about anything in life except that they will die and that they will have to pay taxes. He is, of course, making a joke and a statement that the government makes everyone pay taxes, no matter who they are. Many people have developed their own versions of the quote. For example: “There is nothing certain in life but uncertainty.” And, “In this world nothing is certain but change.”

Benjamin Franklin is also well known as a scientist and “inventor,” or someone who creates new things. He made many discoveries, but he is probably most well-known for his theories about “electricity,” a form of energy.