John Trapp on Proverbs 22:1

CHAP. XXII. Verſ. 1. A good name is rather to bee choſen]

HEb. A name, as Chap. 18.22. a wife, for a good wife (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 vertue, Iſa. 43.4. this perfume of faith and obedience, this ſplendor and ſparkle of the white ſtone, which onely ſhines upon heavenly hearts, is far more deſirable than great riches. For firſt, Theſe oft take away the life of the owners thereof, Prov. 1.19. the greater wealth, the greater ſpoil awaits a man; As a tree with thick and large boughes, 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 Law-ſutes and other vexations, &c. when a good name, as a precious oyntment powred 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 out-lives the man, and is left behinde him for a bleſſing, Iſa. 65.15. See Prov. 10.7. with the Note there. Other people went beyond Gods Iſrael in wealth and riches, but none in fame and renown, 2 Sam. 7.23. Deut. 4.6. Fourthly, Riches are oft gotten by fame; let a mans name bee up, and there will bee great recourſe to him; But let him once crack his credit, and riches cannot repair him: Infamy will not bee bought oft with money. Laſtly, Riches are common to good men with bad men; but a good name (truly ſo called) is proper to Gods peculiar, confined to the Communion of Saints. Hee 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, Plaut. ſat dives ero. 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, Luke 2.52. and Joſeph, and Daniel, and David, and Demetrius, Joh. 3.12. and they had it as a ſpecial favour from God, who faſhions mens opinions, and hides his people from the ſtrife of tongues, Job 5.