On a practical level, it is useful to de-personalize (or de-anthropomorphize) Proverbs 9:10 — “The fear of the law is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
The most powerful law in the universe — the basis of all scientific thought — is the immutable law of “like produces like.”
It was respect for the law of like produces like that inspired Paul the Apostle to write to the Philippians: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8. constructive thinking made all the more significant since it was known throughout the early church world that Paul was about to be tried and sentenced to death in Rome.)
The Apostle understood that thinking upon such things will cause them to be manifest in the thinker’s life and thereby influence the whole world for good.
This is the beginning of wisdom: to the exact degree I think upon God-things — Good exclusively — I will be godly.
“The great mistake of mortals is to suppose that man, God’s image and likeness, is both matter and Spirit, both good and evil.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, 216)
Why did Mrs. Eddy call it “the great mistake” instead of “a great mistake”?
Because the law of like produces like is constantly in action every moment throughout the universe, therefore relativistic thinking that life is both good and bad, both truth and error, both right-side up and upside down, both right and wrong, both blessing and curse, both self-determination consciousness and victimization consciousness, both Principle and person, will externalize in a life of limitation, confusion, bondage to the world of the senses.
The suffering that results from such contradictory thinking is activated automatically, impersonally, and is a major component of this great law, which is the schoolmaster that will eventually train the minds of all who dwell on earth to think according to the Apostle’s admonition.
Healthy respect and holy reverence for the immutable law is the beginning of wisdom.