initium sapientiae timor domini – the Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom (U of Aberdeen Motto)
initium sapientiae timor domini
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
(Motto of University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland).
Another version of this phrase:
principium scientiae timor domini
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
The phrase is found a number of times in the wisdom portions of the Bible, including:
Proverbia 1:7
(Biblia Sacra Vulgata – Vulgate)
(7) timor Domini principium scientiae sapientiam atque doctrinam stulti despiciunt
Proverbs 1:7
(New International Version – NIV)
(7) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
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Proverbia 9:10
(Biblia Sacra Vulgata – Vulgate)
(10) principium sapientiae timor Domini et scientia sanctorum prudentia
Proverbs 9:10
(New International Version – NIV)
(10) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
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Psalmi 110:10
(Biblia Sacra Vulgata – Vulgate)
(Note the discrepancy in the psalm number in Vulgate vs. English translation):
(10) initium sapientiae timor Domini intellectus bonus omnibus facientibus eum laudatio eius manet in saeculum saeculi
Psalm 111:10
(New International Version – NIV)
(10) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
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Iob 28:28
(Biblia Sacra Vulgata – Vulgate)
(28) et dixit homini ecce timor Domini ipsa est sapientia et recedere a malo intellegentia
Job 28:28
(New International Version – NIV)
(28) And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”
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Ecclesiasticus 1:14-17
(Apocrypha in Biblia Sacra Vulgata – Vulgate)
(14) dilectio Dei honorabilis sapientia (15) quibus autem apparuerit in visu diligunt eam in visione et in agnitione magnalium suorum (16) initium sapientiae timor Domini et cum fidelibus in vulva concreatus est et cum electis seminis creditur et cum iustis et fidelibus agnoscitur (17) timor Domini scientiae religiositas
Sirach 1:14-17
(Good News Translation)
(14) To fear the Lord is the first step to Wisdom. Wisdom is given to the faithful in their mothers’ wombs. (15) She has lived with us from ancient times, and generations to come will rely on her.
(16) To fear the Lord is Wisdom at her fullest; she satisfies us completely with her gifts (17) and fills our homes and our barns with all that our hearts can desire.
