Translation: ESV
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
Honor and favor are more valuable assets in life than material wealth.
▸Honor and favor are more valuable than material wealth.
Honor and favor are more valuable than material wealth. This proverb calls for a transformation of values regarding what the true riches of life are. A 'good name' (shem tov) means not merely reputation but a complete character and life that is whole before God.
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Right education in childhood determines the direction of a whole life. Do not miss the window for raising children.
▸This proverb emphasizes the decisive importance of early childhood education.
Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge,
Inclining one's ear to the words of the wise is the beginning of knowledge.
▸Proverbs 22:17-24:22 is a new collection called 'the words of the wise,' which shares similarities with the Egyptian wisdom text 'Instruction of Amenemope.
Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
Pursuing excellence in one's own work is the path to being recognized and contributing to society.
▸Pursuing excellence in one's own work leads to social standing.