The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endures forever.
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Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
7. ..."The fear of the Lord," therefore, "is the beginning of wisdom." "Understanding is good" (ver. 10). Who gainsayeth? But to understand, and not to do, is dangerous. It is "good," therefore, "to those that do there after." Nor let it lift up the mind unto pride; for, "the praise of Him," the fear of whom is the beginning of wisdom, "endureth for ever:" and this will be the reward, this the end, this the everlasting station and abode. There are found the true commandments, made fast for ever and ever; here is the very heritage of the New Covenant commanded for ever. "One thing," he saith, "I have desired of the Lord, which I will require: even that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life." For, "blessed are they that dwell in the house" of the Lord: "they will be alway praising" Him; for "His praise endureth for ever."
Fear. Hebrew, "is the chief part of wisdom. "(Jansenius)
This fear intimates the virtue of religion, to which the Israelites gave the preference over prudence (Josephus, contra App. 2.)
This distinguished them from other nations, Deuteronomy iv. 8. (Calmet)
Fear is the beginning, charity the end of wisdom. (Eusebius)
Beginning with fear, we ascend to true wisdom, which are the first and last of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. (Worthington)
Do it. Act conformably to this fear. (Haydock)
Speculative wisdom is good, but not sufficient, Romans xi. 13. (St. Chrysostom)
Many read ea, "those things "with the Hebrew, while the Septuagint have eam, this wisdom. But Houbigant adheres to the Vulgate. (Berthier)
His. God's, (St. Chrysostom) though some would refer ejus to intellectus. (Berthier)
He shall be praised for ever who has been so well informed as to adopt the fear or wisdom of the Lord for his guide. (Haydock)
