To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
These verses seem to be designed as a preamble or general preface to the book itself. And I particularly beg the Reader to remark with me, that under this idea, a proverb is said to be a dark saying, intimating that there is much more in it than might at first sight be supposed. And therefore, through the whole of the proverbs, we are taught to be looking beyond the surface for the grand substance that is concealed. And this if I do not greatly err, we shall find to be Christ. He is the wisdom which is here spoken of, and for which the proverbs are given. He calls himself by the name, Luke 7:35. Lord, I would pray, give to him that writes, and to him that reads, a rigid understanding in all things; that we may discover Christ to be both the wisdom of God and the power of God, for salvation to everyone that believeth, 1 Corinthians 1:21-24.