Matthew Poole and continuators on Ecclesiastes 7:1

1 A Good name is better than precious Ointment : and the day of death , than the day of ones birth.

A good and well-grounded report from wise and worthy persons.

Heb. A name, which is put for a good name by a Synecdoche, that only being worthy to be called a name, because evil and worthless men quickly lose their Name and Memory. Thus a Wife is put for a good Wife, Prov. 18. 22. and a day for a good day, Luk. 19. 41, 44.

To wit, of a good man, or one who hath left a good Name behind him, which is easily understood both from the former clause, and from the nature of the thing; for to a wicked man this day is far worse, and most terrible. Yet if this passage be delivered with respect only to this Life, and abstracting from the future Life, as many other passages in this Book are to be understood, then this may be true in general of all men, and is the consequent of all the former discourse. Seeing this Life is so full of Vanity, and Vexation, and Misery, it is a more desirable thing for a man to go out of it, than to come into it. Which is the more considerable note, because it is contrary to the Opinion and Practice of almost all Mankind, to celebrate their own or Childrens Birth-days with solemn Feasts and rejoicings, and their deaths with all expressions of sorrow.

b Which was very fragrant, and acceptable, and useful, and of great price, especially in those Countries. See Deut. 33. 24. Psal. 92. 10. & 133. 2. Isa. 39. 2.

Marginal references: Prov. 15. 30. & 22. 1.