What did Ben Franklin have to say about taxes? (2024)

What did Ben Franklin have to say about taxes?

"Death and taxes" is a phrase commonly referencing a famous quotation written by American statesman Benjamin Franklin: Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

What did Benjamin Franklin say about taxation without representation?

Benjamin Franklin stated, “it is suppos'd an undoubted Right of Englishmen not to be taxed but by their own Consent given thro' their Representatives.”.

What was Benjamin Franklin's famous quote?

“Well done is better than well said.” “A right Heart exceeds all.” “What you seem to be, be really.”

How does Franklin distinguish between government taxes and the others?

But an internal tax is forced from the people without their consent, if not laid by their own representatives. Here, Franklin distinguished between two kinds of taxes: internal and external. The Stamp Act imposed internal taxes, whereas import duties were external taxes.

What kind of taxes did colonists pay according to Franklin?

There are taxes on all estates, real and personal; a poll tax; a tax on all offices, professions, trades, and businesses, according to their profits; an excise on all wine, rum, and other spirit; and a duty of ten pounds per head on all Negroes imported, with some other duties. Q.

Who first said taxation without representation?

Patrick Henry's resolution in the Virginia legislature implied that Americans possessed all the rights of Englishmen, that the principle of no taxation without representation was an essential part of the British Constitution, and that Virginia alone had the right to tax Virginians.

Who said they tax us without having legal representation?

In 1764, Otis wrote in “Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved” that “the very act of taxing, exercised over those who are not represented, appears to me to be depriving them of one of their most essential rights, as freemen; and if continued, seems to be in effect an entire disfranchisem*nt of every civil ...

What did Ben Franklin say about money?

In short, the way to wealth, if you desire it, is as plain as the way to market. It depends chiefly on two words: industry and frugality. Waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both. He that gets all he can honestly, and saves all he can, will certainly become rich.

What did Ben Franklin say about the Constitution?

In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us, and there is no form of Government but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered, and believe farther that this is likely to be well administered for a ...

What type of government did Ben Franklin believe in?

Franklin believed in a democratic form of government. Enlightenment thinking such as Franklin's was based on science and reason. Franklin advocated civic virtue and political activism.

What does Franklin believe in?

Moreover, Franklin told us in his autobiography that he was a “thorough deist.” Franklin adhered to a religion that we might call doctrineless, moralized Christianity. This kind of faith suggests that what we believe about God is not as important as living a life of love and significance.

Who said time is money?

The origin of the phrase: Time Is Money is an aphorism that originated in “Advice to a Young Tradesman”, an essay by Benjamin Franklin that appeared in George Fisher's 1748 book, The American Instructor: or Young Man's Best Companion, in which Franklin wrote, “Remember that time is money.”

What was Benjamin Franklin's goal?

Benjamin Franklin believed that every American must perfect each virtue in order to attain the America dream and make America into a great world power. Another Old World value that Franklin rejected was the censoring of any idea not ordained by the King of Britain.

What did Benjamin Franklin do?

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), printer, inventor, scientist, and statesman, occupies a distinguished place in U.S. history. He not only played an influential role in the Revolutionary War era and the fight for American independence, but also helped to shape the U.S. Constitution and vision for the new nation.

Was Ben Franklin against the Stamp Act?

Stamp Act Repeal in 1766

Although Franklin, as Pennsylvania's agent in London, had briefly supported the new tax on America, he quickly switched to opposition after hearing of the angry response in Pennsylvania.

Why were the colonists most angry about the taxes?

Colonial assemblies denounced the law, claiming the tax was illegal on the grounds that they had no representation in Parliament. Colonists were likewise furious at being denied the right to a trial by jury.

What we get wrong about taxes and the American Revolution?

“No taxation without representation” — the rallying cry of the American Revolution — gives the impression that taxation was the principal irritant between Britain and its American colonies. But, in fact, taxes in the colonies were much lower than taxes in Britain.

How much taxes did the colonists pay?

1-1.5% Colonial and Early Americans paid a very low tax rate, both by modern and contemporary standards. Just prior to the Revolution, British tax rates stood at between 5-7%, dwarfing Americans' 1-1.5% tax rates.

How high were taxes in 1776?

Taxation in the United States in 1776 was incredibly different than what it is today. There were no income taxes, no corporate taxes, and no payroll taxes. Instead, the American Colonies (and to a larger extent, the British Crown) were primarily funded by tariffs and excise taxes.

Why was no taxation without representation unfair?

Why is taxation without representation unfair? Taxation without representation is unfair because the people who are being taxed have no say in the matter. They are not heard by the government because nobody is there to defend their case, yet they are taxed anyways.

Is taxation without representation illegal in the US?

Is taxation without representation illegal? Though taxation without representation was one of the sticking points that led the American colonies to declare and fight for their independence from Great Britain, there aren't any laws that prohibit the practice today.

What did Benjamin Franklin say before he died?

Reportedly, Franklin's last words were, “A dying man can do nothing easily.” Newspapers in Boston said that Franklin had been ill for several weeks, and they made sure readers knew that Franklin was born there. His passing was duly noted in Europe.

Was Benjamin Franklin rich or poor?

According to The Wealthy 100 / From Benjamin Franklin to Bill Gates – A Ranking of the Richest Americans, Past and Present by Michael Klepper and Robert Gunther, Benjamin Franklin was the 4^th wealthiest American when he died in 1790.

Why Benjamin Franklin is on the $100 dollar bill?

Why Benjamin Franklin? Benjamin Franklin's appearance on the $100 bill is no coincidence. His significant role in shaping U.S. history and his representation of American ideals, like hard work and ingenuity, made him an exemplary choice.

What did Benjamin Franklin value the most?