Matthew Henry Commentary Proverbs 1:7-9

"The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; [But] the foolish despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be a chaplet of grace unto thy head, And chains about thy neck." — Proverbs 1:7-9 (ASV)

Fools are persons who have no true wisdom, who follow their own inclinations, without regard to reason, or reverence for God. Children are reasonable creatures, and when we tell them what they must do, we must tell them why. But they are corrupt and wilful; therefore, along with instruction, a law is also necessary. Let Divine truths and commands be most honourable to us; let us value them, and then they will be so to us.