Literary Discussions

Perhaps one might understand the verse "Wisdom BEGINS in fear of the Lord" as follows: if we FEAR the consequences of our actions, words, thoughts sufficiently to change our ways then we are on the right track EVEN THOUGH we yet lack an understanding of what is harmful and what is helpful. A person who lacks knowledge concerning cancer and yet fears in general for his physical health and is willing to suffer in order to preserve it is closer to wisdom than a person who understands carcinogenic risks but is heedless of personally suffering the consequences. So, wisdom has stages and a beginning and a teleology.