Proverbs 1:1 says, The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;  First, we see that Solomon is identified as the author.  Solomon was known as one of the wisest kings of all time, and he offers us some good advice on how to live our lives.  Verse two states, To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;  Solomon gives us the reason that he was writing these proverbs, and that is so we can know wisdom and understand the words of instruction.  Solomon sought out the truth of the world, and concluded that the purpose of mankind was to serve God.  Verse three says, To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;  These are four very important reasons to receive these instructions.  If we want wisdom, justice, judgment and equity in the world, we can only find it by being obedient to the word of God.  This is what Solomon was really sharing with us.  In verse four Solomon continues, To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.  Solomon said he was writing this to help even the simple understand what life is really about, and to teach young people knowledge and discretion.  Too often, the young people of the world are caught up in whatever the latest fad is, but we as followers of Christ must teach them the knowledge of God and discretion in their actions.  Verse five states, A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:  Solomon tells us if we are wise, we will listen to what he has to say.  Verse six adds, To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.  It is not enough to just read these proverbs, but we must understand what they are really teaching us about men and women, and their relationship to God and others.  Verse seven declares, The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.  Solomon declares that the fear, or respect, of God is the beginning of understanding.  I don't believe that fear of God means that we are afraid of Him, but means that we have an awesome respect for Him.  Verse eight states, My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:  This basically tells us that children are to respect their parents and follow their rules.  We could use a lot more of this today.  Verse nine says, For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.  I believe that this means that following the rules of parents make the children look good.  It also leads them to be better people, as a general rule.  While it is true that not all parents are looking out for the best interest of their children, almost all are.  Verse ten says, My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.  This sounds like it would be simple, logical advice to follow, but to often sin can be made to look desirable.  That is why Solomon advised us not to be enticed by sin.  The next four verses warn where this can lead.  Verse eleven declares, If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:  Then verse twelve says, Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:  Verse thirteen continues, We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:  Then verse fourteen concludes, Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:  This is basically a gang mentality.  Children are enticed to join in with the promise of gaining wealth by taking it from others and sharing it together.  There is also the lack of concern that those from whom the wealth is taken from may suffer, and maybe even the desire that they will.  We see or hear of this so often in the world today, but it is nothing new.  In verse fifteen, Solomon again warns, My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:  Solomon tells us to not follow the path of those who would steal from and harm others.  Verse sixteen says, For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.  We are warned not to be enticed by those who follow evil and have no respect for the lives of others.  Verse seventeen says, Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.  I believe that Solomon is telling us that if we could really see the trap of following those who live by the evil in their hearts that we wouldn't fall into their trap.  Verse eighteen concludes, And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.  I believe that this is a warning that ultimately those who follow after evil will pay with their own lives.  This may not occur in this lifetime, but it certainly will in God's judgment.  Verse nineteen declares, So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.  This is just a further statement that those who seek to profit from stealing and murder will one day pay for their crimes.