Absolutely Inevitable: Death, Taxes, and the Certainty of Clichés 💀💰
Overview
This ironic cliché, immortalized by Benjamin Franklin in a letter in 1789, declares: “But in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Ever since, it has reminded us of life’s unavoidable truths with a touch of dry humor.
Related Terms:
- Unavoidable: Impossible to prevent or avoid.
- Inevitable: Certain to happen; unavoidable.
- Certainty: Something that is sure to happen or be true.
- Fate: The development of events beyond a person’s control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power.
Similar Terms and Expressions:
- Life’s constants: The things in life that remain constant among the turbulence.
- Sure as the sun will rise: A certainty.
- Inescapable: Not able to be avoided or denied.
- Necessity: Something that is essential and inevitable.
Humor-Filled Quotes:
- “The only thing that hurts more than paying an income tax is not having to pay an income tax.” —Thomas Dewar.
- “There is no kind of dishonesty into which otherwise good people more easily and frequently fall than that of defrauding the government into paying too little tax.” —Benjamin Franklin.
- “The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn’t get worse every time Congress meets.” —Will Rogers.
Proverbs:
- Death keeps no calendar: Death comes to all, regardless of their plans or schedules.
- There is nothing sure but death and taxes: Emphasizing the inevitability of these two things.
Literature and References:
- Books: “Death: The Final Stage of Growth” by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.
- Movies: “Meet Joe Black” (A film exploring the inevitability of death).
- Songs: “Taxman”—The Beatles (A humorous take on paying taxes).
Inspirational and Thought-Provoking Farewell:
May you face the certainties in life with a dash of humor, for it’s in the laughter that we find the strength to bear the inevitable.
### Which figure coined the phrase about death and taxes?
- [ ] Mark Twain
- [ ] William Shakespeare
- [x] Benjamin Franklin
- [ ] Thomas Jefferson
> **Explanation:** Benjamin Franklin famously declared that nothing can be certain except death and taxes in a letter to Jean Baptiste Le Roy in 1789.
### Which of the following is a valid certainty oft discussed?
- [ ] Access to free Wi-Fi
- [ ] Guaranteed happiness
- [x] Death
- [ ] Inalienable toothpaste
> **Explanation:** Among the jests and jibes, death is universally recognized as an inevitable truth, as opposed to the other whimsical choices.
### True or False: “Death and taxes” is a phrase first used by Albert Einstein.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** Though witty enough for Einstein, the phrase was actually coined by Benjamin Franklin.
### Identify the comedic line about taxes:
- [ ] “They take but cannot give.”
- [x] “The difference between death and taxes? Death doesn’t get worse!”
- [ ] “Money down the drain.”
- [ ] “More certain than certainty itself.”
> **Explanation:** Will Rogers humorously remarked, “The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets.”
