Ecclesiastes 7:1

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

Life is Brief and Death is Certain! A good reputation is better than precious perfume; likewise, the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Prov 22:1 : 1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth, good favor more than silver or gold.
  • Eccl 4:2 : 2 So I considered those who are dead and gone more fortunate than those who are still alive.
  • Song 1:3 : 3 The fragrance of your colognes is delightful; your name is like the finest perfume. No wonder the young women adore you!
  • 2 Cor 5:8 : 8 Thus we are full of courage and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
  • Phil 1:21-23 : 21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22 Now if I am to go on living in the body, this will mean productive work for me, yet I don’t know which I prefer: 23 I feel torn between the two, because I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far,
  • Rev 14:13 : 13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say,“Write this:‘Blessed are the dead, those who die in the Lord from this moment on!’”“Yes,” says the Spirit,“so they can rest from their hard work, because their deeds will follow them.”
  • Prov 15:30 : 30 A bright look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the body.
  • Heb 11:2 : 2 For by it the people of old received God’s commendation.
  • Heb 11:39 : 39 And these all were commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.
  • Isa 56:5 : 5 I will set up within my temple and my walls a monument that will be better than sons and daughters. I will set up a permanent monument for them that will remain.
  • Isa 57:1-2 : 1 The godly perish, but no one cares. Honest people disappear, when no one minds that the godly disappear because of evil. 2 Those who live uprightly enter a place of peace; they rest on their beds.
  • Luke 10:20 : 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names stand written in heaven.”
  • John 13:2 : 2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, that he should betray Jesus.
  • 2 Cor 5:1 : 1 Living by Faith, Not by Sight For we know that if our earthly house, the tent we live in, is dismantled, we have a building from God, a house not built by human hands, that is eternal in the heavens.
  • Eccl 10:1 : 1 One dead fly makes the perfumer’s ointment give off a rancid stench, so a little folly can outweigh much wisdom.
  • Prov 27:9 : 9 Ointment and incense make the heart rejoice, likewise the sweetness of one’s friend from sincere counsel.
  • Job 3:17 : 17 There the wicked cease from turmoil, and there the weary are at rest.
  • Ps 133:2 : 2 It is like fine oil poured on the head which flows down the beard– Aaron’s beard, and then flows down his garments.
  • Song 4:10 : 10 How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine; the fragrance of your perfume is better than any spice!

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Eccl 7:2-5
    4 verses
    82%

    2It is better to go to a funeral than a feast. For death is the destiny of every person, and the living should take this to heart.

    3Sorrow is better than laughter, because sober reflection is good for the heart.

    4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of merrymaking.

    5Frivolous Living Versus Wisdom It is better for a person to receive a rebuke from those who are wise than to listen to the song of fools.

  • Prov 22:1
    78%

    1A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth, good favor more than silver or gold.

  • Eccl 7:10-12
    3 verses
    72%

    10Do not say,“Why were the old days better than these days?” for it is not wise to ask that.

    11Wisdom Can Lengthen One’s Life Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing; it benefits those who see the light of day.

    12For wisdom provides protection, just as money provides protection. But the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves the life of its owner.

  • Eccl 4:2-3
    2 verses
    71%

    2So I considered those who are dead and gone more fortunate than those who are still alive.

    3But better than both is the one who has not been born and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth.

  • Eccl 7:14-18
    5 verses
    70%

    14In times of prosperity be joyful, but in times of adversity consider this: God has made one as well as the other, so that no one can discover what the future holds.

    15Exceptions to the Law of Retribution During the days of my fleeting life I have seen both of these things: Sometimes a righteous person dies prematurely in spite of his righteousness, and sometimes a wicked person lives long in spite of his evil deeds.

    16So do not be excessively righteous or excessively wise; otherwise you might be disappointed.

    17Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool; otherwise you might die before your time.

    18It is best to take hold of one warning without letting go of the other warning; for the one who fears God will follow both warnings.

  • Prov 10:7
    70%

    7The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the reputation of the wicked will rot.

  • Eccl 6:3-4
    2 verses
    70%

    3Even if a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years– even if he lives a long, long time, but cannot enjoy his prosperity– even if he were to live forever– I would say,“A stillborn child is better off than he is!”

    4Though the stillborn child came into the world for no reason and departed into darkness, though its name is shrouded in darkness,

  • Eccl 7:8
    69%

    8The end of a matter is better than its beginning; likewise, patience is better than pride.

  • Prov 27:9
    68%

    9Ointment and incense make the heart rejoice, likewise the sweetness of one’s friend from sincere counsel.

  • Prov 16:16
    68%

    16How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold; to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.

  • Job 5:27
    68%

    27Look, we have investigated this, so it is true. Hear it, and apply it for your own good.”

  • Eccl 11:7-8
    2 verses
    67%

    7Life Should Be Enjoyed Because Death is Inevitable Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for a person to see the sun.

    8So, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all, but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many– all that is about to come is obscure.

  • Prov 15:16
    67%

    16Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth and turmoil with it.

  • Eccl 6:9
    67%

    9It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one’s heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile– like chasing the wind.

  • Eccl 10:1
    67%

    1One dead fly makes the perfumer’s ointment give off a rancid stench, so a little folly can outweigh much wisdom.

  • Prov 8:11
    67%

    11For wisdom is better than rubies, and desirable things cannot be compared to her.

  • Eccl 6:11-12
    2 verses
    67%

    11The more one argues with words, the less he accomplishes. How does that benefit him?

    12For no one knows what is best for a person during his life– during the few days of his fleeting life– for they pass away like a shadow. Nor can anyone tell him what the future will hold for him on earth.

  • Prov 25:7
    67%

    7for it is better for him to say to you,“Come up here,” than to put you lower before a prince, whom your eyes have seen.

  • Ps 34:12
    67%

    12Do you want to really live? Would you love to live a long, happy life?

  • Prov 3:14
    66%

    14For her benefit is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than gold.

  • Ps 116:15
    66%

    15The LORD values the lives of his faithful followers.

  • Prov 19:1
    66%

    1Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his speech and is a fool.

  • Eccl 9:8
    66%

    8Let your clothes always be white, and do not spare precious ointment on your head.

  • Prov 3:16
    66%

    16Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

  • Prov 15:24
    66%

    24The path of life is upward for the wise person, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.

  • Prov 12:28
    66%

    28In the path of righteousness there is life, but another path leads to death.

  • Eccl 12:7-8
    2 verses
    66%

    7and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the life’s breath returns to God who gave it.

    8Concluding Refrain: Qoheleth Restates His Thesis“Absolutely futile!” laments the Teacher,“All of these things are futile!”

  • Prov 14:12
    66%

    12There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death.

  • Eccl 9:4
    66%

    4Better to Be Poor but Alive than Rich but Dead But whoever is among the living has hope; a live dog is better than a dead lion.

  • Eccl 4:13
    65%

    13Labor Motivated by Prestige-Seeking A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive advice.

  • Job 7:1
    65%

    1The Brevity of Life“Does not humanity have hard service on earth? Are not their days also like the days of a hired man?

  • Eccl 2:16
    65%

    16For the wise man, like the fool, will not be remembered for very long, because in the days to come, both will already have been forgotten. Alas, the wise man dies– just like the fool!

  • Eccl 6:6
    65%

    6if he should live a thousand years twice, yet does not enjoy his prosperity. For both of them die!