What name is better than great wealth?
Rashi: A good reputation.
Why is a good name better than great wealth?
R. Yonah: A good name is better for everything. Wealth cannot save its owner from a decree, and not on a day of anger. Wealth gives honor to its owner, but honor of a good name is greater 1 ; people show more respect for it.
Malbim: Acquisitions of wealth are illusory. They do not become part of the person. He can suddenly become poor and lose them in an evil way. However, a good reputation acquired via good deeds, they become part of his Nefesh and do not separate from him. The purpose of great wealth more than is needed, is to get honor and his words will be heeded. Ba'al ha'Shem has these even more. Great wealth must be guarded; it 'steals' its owner's sleep. A good reputation does not.
R. Yonah: The previous two verses taught that Chachmah and Gevurah do not help against a decree. Now it discusses the inferiority of wealth. It is as if it says that it goes without saying that wealth cannot save its owner from a decree, for it is the lowest attribute. Chachmah is an advantage and power in the Nefesh; Gevurah is an advantage and power in the body. Wealth is external to the person. It did not come via his strength or intellect, like the coming verse says. This is why wealth is mentioned after Chachmah and Gevurah - "Al Yis'halel Chacham b'Chachmaso v'Al Yis'halel Gibor bi'Gevuraso Al Yis'halel Ashir b'Ashro" (Yirmeyah 9:22).
What grace is better than silver and gold?
Rashi: Good grace.
Why is grace compared to silver and gold?
R. Yonah: Each matter is compared to what resembles it. One who has great wealth acquires renown. "Great wealth" is property and cities; it is visible to all. One with wealth of property is a known Ashir; this is one who knows Agados. Therefore, the verse teaches that a good name better than great wealth. One who has silver and gold, his wealth is not so famous. Likewise, one who has grace, it is possible that he does not have a reputation.
Malbim: Silver and gold do not have an intrinsic attribute, just people agreed to give to them value more than other metals. Also grace, one finds it in the eyes of people due to agreement. It is better than silver and gold, for the grace is in him and not in another matter. What one can get via giving silver and gold to an officer, one gets more via grace. Reputation is due to deeds, and Chen is a free gift - "Yedaticha v'Shem v'Gam Matzasa Chen b'Einai" (Shemos 33:12). Wealth is his acquisition, and a good reputation he acquired for himself. Chen is not a Kinyan, just he finds it in others' eyes; it is better than silver and gold that others give to him 1 .
This implies that it is not better than silver and gold that he himself acquired. (PF)
