Ecclesiastes 7:1
A good name is better than oil of great price, and the day of death than the day of birth.
Bible in Basic English
In The King James Version
A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.
In Context
Cross References
Ruth 3:14And she took her rest at his feet till the morning: and she got up before it was light enough for one to see another. And he said, Let it not come to anyone's knowledge that the woman came to the grain-floor.
Psalms 133:2It is like oil of great price on the head, flowing down over the face, even Aaron's face: coming down to the edge of his robe;
Proverbs 22:1A good name is more to be desired than great wealth, and to be respected is better than silver and gold.
Proverbs 27:9Oil and perfume make glad the heart, and the wise suggestion of a friend is sweet to the soul.
Ecclesiastes 10:1Dead flies make the oil of the perfumer give out an evil smell; more valued is a little wisdom than the great glory of the foolish.
Song of Solomon 4:10How fair is your love, my sister! How much better is your love than wine, and the smell of your oils than any perfume!
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 7:1
Solomon had given many proofs and instances of the vanity of this world and the things of it; now, in this chapter, I. He recommends to us some good means proper to be used for the redress of these grievances and the arming of ourselves against the mischief we are in danger of from them, that we may make the best of the bad, as 1. Care of our reputation, ver. 1 . 2. Seriousness, ver. 2-6 . 3. Calmness of spirit, ver. 7-10 . 4. Prudence in the management of all our affairs, ver. 11, 12 . 5. Submission to the will… Read the whole commentary →