Ecclesiastes 7:1
Better [is] a name than good perfume, And the day of death than the day of birth.
Young's Literal Translation
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 lieth down at his feet till the morning, and riseth before one doth discern another; and he saith, 'Let it not be known that the woman hath come into the floor.'
Psalms 133:2As the good oil on the head, Coming down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, That cometh 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 27:9Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart, 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 honour — a little folly!
Song of Solomon 4:10How wonderful have been thy loves, my sister-spouse, How much better have been thy loves than wine, And the fragrance of thy 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 →