his
is not the choice suggested by the text. All men, even the most
vicious, in some sense or other, choose a good name. But the passage
under consideration has a higher, a nobler aim, than a mere choice
unconnected with virtuous principle and action. It has a higher aim,
than to encourage men to be rotten at heart, and by an outward,
hypocritical maneuver, maintain a good name among their fellow
creatures. By the text, we are to understand, that a man should early
cultivate, in his heart, a virtuous principle, as the pure source from
which all those outward actions spring that justly merit the esteem of
mankind, force approbation even from the vicious, and thus entitle him
to that good name which is far above all price. This will not only
afford its possessor unbroken peace arising from the inward
consolations and joys of virtuous sincerity, but it will also open to
him another rich fountain of felicity, arising from the consideration,
that he enjoys the confidence and esteem of the great and the good,
with whom he is conversant in life, of his intimate friends, of his
companion and children, and above all the smiles of kind heaven and
the approbation of his God. His life is calm; his sleep is sweet and
associated with golden dreams. No fearful spectres haunt his brain,
but the kind angel of mercy is ever at his side. He looks forward to
death undismayed, yes, with satisfaction and composure looks beyond
that dark scene, to brighter worlds and more substantial joys. He
feels the assurance, that even when he shall be here no more, his name
shall live in the hearts of those he left behind, be embalmed in the
memory of the just, and that it is beyond the power of rolling ages to
sully it. This is what we understand by choosing a good name as stated
in our text.

Of the truth of this, there can arise no misapprehension when we
compare it with the subsequent phrase with which it is contrasted--"a
good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor
than silver and gold." By the choosing of riches, we are to
understand, not only a desire to obtain them, but that this desire
shall be sufficiently strong to prompt us to use all the honorable and
efficient means in our power to accumulate them. The wise man did not
mean that every man had the offer of a fortune, and could possess
himself of it by simply making choice of it independent of means. No--
his choice must be manifested by industry and economy. The mea