Proverbs 11:16 says, A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.  A woman who is gracious in her relationship with others keeps her honor.  This is much different than what we see presented today as the way women should act to be honored.  Likewise, men who are strong, I believe in their relationship to God, will retain the riches they have with Him.  I don't believe that this is referring to claiming or keeping earthly riches by being more powerful than others.  Verse seventeen states, The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.  When a person acts out of mercy, they are content in life.  Since mercy is something freely given, there are no regrets for having shown mercy.  Verse eighteen declares, The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.  Wicked people are always trying to devise a plan to steal from, or otherwise take, what belongs to someone else.  We, as followers of Christ, are to sow the seeds of righteousness instead.  Verse nineteen says, As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.  The righteous, those that follow God, do the things that God would have them do, which tends to, or grows, our relationship with God and our fellow man.  Those who are evil are working toward their own death in their relationship to God.  Verse twenty declares, They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.  This simply states that those who follow the ways of the world and refuse to accept God's gift of salvation are an abomination to Him.  Those who live under the leadership of God are a delight to Him.  Verse twenty-one declares, Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.  I believe this is basically saying that no matter how many wicked people join together, they will not escape the ultimate punishment of God.  Those who follow God will be delivered by Him.  Verse twenty-two says, As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.  This tells us that a woman who does not live by the discretion of God is like a jeweled pig.  She may look great, but she is full of evil inside.  Verse twenty-three declares, The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.  We, as followers of Christ, should want only what is best for others.  We should never envy them or want them to fall.  The wicked are just the opposite, wanting only what is best for themselves.  Verse twenty-four states, There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.  Then  verse twenty-five adds, The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.  This simply means that those who are liberal in their giving will be blessed, if not materially, then spiritually.  God expects His people to share what He blesses them with, helping those in need.  Verse twenty-six declares, He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.  This goes beyond giving to others and speaks of those who don't even want to sell to others.  This is a true self-centered attitude.  Verse twenty-seven states, He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.  This tells us that if we earnestly seek good, or the will of God, that we will find favor, with God and most people.  There will be some who seek mischief whom we will not find favor with, but they will one day pay for their mischief.  Verse twenty-eight declares, He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.  There are many people today who put their faith in their riches, which have a temporary and arbitrary value at best.  Nothing in this world is going to buy anyone salvation.  If we are righteous, which means we have accepted salvation through Christ, we will flourish spiritually.  Verse twenty-nine states, He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.  I believe this means that we should not cause trouble in our own homes.  Those who do so out of foolishness will one day serve those who act wisely, or follow God's leadership.  Verse thirty proclaims, The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.  The reward that we receive from following Christ is everlasting life with God.  Since this is true, we should be reaching out to others with the gospel of Christ.  Verse thirty-one says, Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.  I don't believe that this means with material things, but with a peace and satisfaction that those who deny God can never know.