"All who become learners in the school of Christ excel both in the quality and the extent of their education. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” [ Proverbs 9:10 .] A knowledge of God and his requirements will open the understanding of the student to realize his responsibilities to God and to the world. To this end he will feel that his talents must be developed in that way which will produce the very best results. This cannot be done unless all the precepts and principles of religion are connected with his school education. In no case should he disconnect God from his studies. In the pursuit of knowledge, he is searching for truth; and all truth comes from God, the source of truth. Students who are virtuous, and are imbued with the Spirit of Christ, will grasp knowledge with all their faculties. Education acquired without Bible religion is disrobed of its true brightness and glory.— “Testimony,” No. 28. CE 246.1"
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."
Ellen White directly references Proverbs 9:10 in this passage.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
EGW directly quotes Proverbs 9:10 and connects it to the importance of religious knowledge in education, expanding on the theme of wisdom beginning with the fear of the Lord.
There is no virtue in ignorance, and knowledge will not necessarily dwarf Christian growth; but if you seek for it from principle, having the right object before you, and feeling your obligation to God to use your faculties to do good to others and promote his glory, knowledge will aid you to accomplish this end; it will help you to bring into exercise the powers which God has given you, and to employ them in his service. But, young men, if you gain ever so much knowledge, and yet fail to put that knowledge to a practical use, you fail of your object. If, in obtaining an education, you become so absorbed in your studies that you neglect prayer and religious privileges, and become careless and indifferent to the welfare of your souls, if you cease to learn in the school of Christ, you are selling your birthright for a mess of pottage. The object for which you are obtaining an education should not be lost sight of for a moment. It should be so to develop and direct your faculties that yo…
"But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."
Both passages discuss the responsibility that comes with increased knowledge or blessings. EGW emphasizes the importance of using knowledge for good and not neglecting spiritual growth, echoing the principle that those who have been given much will be required to give much in return.