The true wisdom of man is piety. You find this in the book of holy Job. For we read there what wisdom itself has said to man: “Behold, the fear of the Lord [pietas], that is wisdom.” [Job xxviii. 28] If you ask further what is meant in that place by pietas, the Greek calls it more definitely θεοσÎβεια, that is, the worship of God. The Greeks sometimes call piety εá½ÏƒÎβεια, which signifies right worship, though this, of course, refers specially to the worship of God. But when we are defining in what man’s true wisdom consists, the most convenient word to use is that which distinctly expresses the fear of God. And can you, who are anxious that I should treat of great matters in few words, wish for a briefer form of expression?
–Saint Augustine, Enchiridion, Chapter 2