A [good] name [is] rather to be chosen than great riches, [and] loving favour rather than silver and gold.
Ver. 1. A good name is rather to be chosen.] Heb., A name, as "a wife," for a good wife. Pro 18:22 Better no wife than an ill wife, so better no name than an ill name. This good name proceeding from a good conscience, this honour from virtue, Isa 43:4 this perfume of faith and obedience, this splendour and sparkle of the "white stone," which only shines upon heavenly hearts - is far more desirable than great riches. For, first, These oft take away the life of the owners thereof. Pro 1:19 The greater wealth, the greater spoil awaits a man. As a tree with thick and large boughs, every man desires to lop him. Whereas a good name saves a man oft from that danger, as it did Jonathan, whom the people rescued. Secondly, Riches breed and bring their cares and cumbers with them. Qui habet terras habet guerras, saith the proverb; many lawsuits and other vexations, &c.; when a good name, as a precious ointment poured out, gets loving favour, with which it is therefore fitly coupled in this text. Thirdly, Riches are enjoyed but till death at utmost; but a good name outlives the man, and is left behind him for a blessing. Isa 65:15 Pro 10:7 See Trapp on " Pro 10:7 " Other people went beyond God's Israel in wealth and riches, but none in fame and renown. 2Sa 7:23 Deu 4:6 Fourthly, Riches are oft gotten by fame. Let a man's name be up, and there will be great recourse to him; but let him once crack his credit, and riches cannot repair him. Infamy will not be bought off with money. Lastly, Riches are common to good men with bad men; but a good name, truly so called, is proper to God's peculiar, confined to the communion of saints. He was therefore a better husband than divine that first called riches bona, goods, And that heathen was nearer the truth than many profligate professors of it who said, Ego si bonam famam servasso sat dives ero: a that is, If I may but keep a good name, I have wealth enough.
And loving favour rather than silver and gold.] Which what is it else but white and red earth? and therefore no way fit to come in competition with good repute and report among the best, such as Christ had, Luk 2:52 and Joseph, and Daniel, and David, and Demetrius; 3Jn 1:12 and they had it as a special favour from God, who fashions men's opinions, and hides his people from the strife of tongues. Job 5:21 Psa 31:20
a Plautus.