(1) Because this book in particular has much to do with fools and wise men, and everywhere praises wisdom and chides foolishness, it is necessary to hear the language and words that he wants to be understood by "fools" and "wise men. Therefore, so that this useful book will be the clearer, I want to strike out some words here recently, as clearly as I can.
(2) This is the way of King David in the Psalter, and especially of King Solomon, and may have been the way of the language in those days, that they are called fools or fools, not those who are called fools in the sight of the world, or who are born fools; but all manner of loose, careless, heedless people, most of them who drive, do, speak, without the word of God, out of their own reasoning and presumption; as
*This preface is found in the Hallische Theile, p. 168; in the Leipzig edition, vol. XII, p. 12 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 63, p. 38. The following preface follows immediately in the editions just given.
Commonly are the greatest, smartest, most powerful, richest and holiest before the world. Just as Paul calls the Galatians, and Christ the Pharisees and his disciples fools in the Gospel. So that you may know how Solomon does not speak of bad or lowly people when he speaks of fools, but of the best in the world.
For Solomon, "wisdom" here means nothing other than God's wisdom, which is taught in God's words and works. That is why he always refers to God's commandment and work. In addition, all proverbs have no other origin than God's word and work, because all people's suggestions are vain and false, and do not come out differently than God wills and does. It is like saying in German: Es ist dir bedacht, aber nicht bescheret. Item: He who is fortunate leads the bride home. And such things do not come from anywhere, because one has seen and had to grasp how people's ideas and hopes are always lacking, and turn out differently than one thinks, and in the end must realize that someone else is driving the little wheel. Some call this God, some call it luck. Therefore, the proverbs in all tongues and languages are true and certain, as those of God.
work, and come from God's work, whether God's word is already not there. Again, "foolishness" is what he calls everything that goes without God's word and work; and a "wise man" who is according to God's word and work; a "fool" who is presumptuous according to his own mind and conceit.
4 From this we see what an excellent, wise and fine man King Solomon is, who has made it so hard for him that, among so many royal affairs, he has taken upon himself the office of a teacher, and especially the most necessary, namely, to teach and train the youth how to act blessedly before God according to the spirit, and wisely before the world with body and good. For therein lies the greatest power to have people on earth, as this King Solomon well saw; whom one cannot have, but draw them in youth. Therefore, this booklet should be presented to the youth in time, and it should be brought into daily use and practice. For the sake of which things, without a doubt, King Solomon has made and written this, as an example to all kings and lords, that they should also take care of the youth. God grant his mercy. Amen.