Proverbs- The Fear of God

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge:

Of all things that are to be known this is most evident, that God is to be feared, to be reverenced, served, and worshipped; this is so the beginning of knowledge that those know nothing who do not know this. 

In order to the attaining of all useful knowledge this is most necessary, that we fear God; we are not qualified to profit by the instructions that are given us unless our minds be possessed with a holy reverence of God, and every thought within us be brought into obedience to him. If any man will do his will, he shall know of his doctrine, (Joh 7:17) 

As all our knowledge must take rise from the fear of God, so it must tend to it as its perfection and centre. Those know enough who know how to fear God, who are careful in every thing to please him and fearful of offending him in any thing; this is the Alpha and Omega of knowledge.

 but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

To confirm this truth, that an eye to God must both direct and quicken [awakens, revives] all our pursuits of knowledge, he observes:

 Fools (atheists, who have no regard to God, [ Psalms 14:1 ] ) despise wisdom and instruction; having no dread at all of God's wrath, nor any desire of his favour, they will not give you thanks for telling them what they may do to escape his wrath and obtain his favour. Those who say to the Almighty, Depart from us, who are so far from fearing him that they set him at defiance, can excite no surprise if they desire not the knowledge of his ways, but despise that instruction. Note, Those are fools who do not fear God and value the Scriptures; and though they may pretend to be admirers of wit they are really strangers and enemies to wisdom.

                                                                         *Extract from Matthew Henry Commentary [Emphasis mine]