The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Solomon, having undertaken to teach a young man knowledge and discretion, here lays down two general rules to be observed in order thereunto, and those are, to fear God and honour his parents, which two fundamental laws of morality Pythagoras begins his golden verses with, but the former of them in a wretchedly corrupted state.
Commenting on Proverbs 1:7-9
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,.... Here properly the book begins, and this is the first of the proverbs, and an excellent one; it is such an one as is not to be found in all the writings of the Heathens.
The fear of the Lord--the principle of true piety (compare Pro 2:5; Pro 14:26-27; Job 28:28; Psa 34:11; Psa 111:10; Act 9:31). beginning--first part, foundation. fools--the stupid and indifferent to God's character and government; hence the wicked.