Ecclesiastes 7:1
Better [is] a name than good perfume, || And the day of death than the day of birth.
Literal Standard Version
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 lies down at his feet until the morning, and rises before one discerns another; and he says, “Let it not be known that the woman has come into the floor.”
Psalms 133:2As the good oil on the head, || Coming down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, || That comes down on the skirt of his robes,
Proverbs 22:1A name is chosen rather than much wealth, || Than silver and than gold—good grace.
Proverbs 27:9Perfume and incense make the heart glad, || And the sweetness of one’s friend—from counsel of the soul.
Ecclesiastes 10:1Dead flies cause a perfumer’s perfume || To send forth a stink; The precious by reason of wisdom—By reason of honor—a little folly!
Song of Solomon 4:10How beautiful have been your loves, my sister-spouse, || How much better have been your loves than wine, || And the fragrance of your perfumes than all spices.
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 →