A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
Proverbs is a collection of practical wisdom sayings from ancient Israel, largely associated with King Solomon, who ruled around 970–930 BC. A "good name" here doesn't mean fame or recognition — it refers to your reputation, your moral character, and the settled truth of who the people around you know you to be. Silver and gold were the primary measures of wealth and security in the ancient world. The proverb sets up a stark comparison: the most valuable things the economy can offer — financial security, material comfort — are worth less than being genuinely known and trusted as a person of integrity.
Lord, I want to be known for something that outlasts my bank account. Shape my character in the unseen moments — the ones only you and I know about. Let the name I leave behind be one that points people quietly toward your goodness. Amen.
What would the people closest to you say about you if you weren't in the room? Not the edited version for the eulogy — the actual, quiet truth. When Solomon writes about a "good name," he's not talking about reputation management or personal branding. He's talking about what your name means to the person who works under you on a Thursday afternoon when everyone is tired, or to your kids when you've had a hard week and patience is running low. Wealth can be inherited, lost, manufactured, or stumbled into. Character is slow-grown and, once damaged, slow to rebuild. In an age where anyone can engineer an image with the right words and the right timing, this proverb has a kind of quiet stubbornness to it. The name worth having can't be curated — only earned. It's built in small, unwitnessed choices: whether you're honest when it costs you something, whether you show up when it's inconvenient, whether you speak well of someone who can do nothing for you in return. Every small decision today is adding something to your name. The question is what.
What's the difference between a good reputation and a good name as Proverbs seems to mean it — are they the same thing, or is something deeper being pointed at?
Think of a specific person whose integrity has shaped how you think about character. What particular choices do you think built that in them over time?
When your reputation suffers unfairly despite your integrity, how do you hold onto your sense of who you are — and has that ever happened to you?
How does the way you treat people who have nothing to offer you reveal who you actually are — and what does your recent behavior honestly say about your name?
What's one decision you've been avoiding that, if you made it with integrity, would add something real to your name — even if no one else would ever know?
And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
Philippians 4:3
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
Hebrews 11:39
A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
Ecclesiastes 7:1
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Luke 10:20
A good name [earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom, moral courage, and personal integrity] is more desirable than great riches; And favor is better than silver and gold.
AMP
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
ESV
A [good] name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.
NASB
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
NIV
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.
NKJV
Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.
NLT
A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.
MSG