Proverbs 12:1 says, Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.  The question would be do we love the instruction of God?  We will gain spiritually by following God's leadership, but if we refuse to follow God, we will hate His reproof.  Verse two states, A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.  When we follow God's leadership, which can only come after accepting salvation through Christ, we will find favor with God.  Those who are wicked, who reject Christ, will condemn themselves.  Verse three says, A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.  We cannot establish ourselves with God by our own righteousness, but if we are rooted in Christ, we shall not be moved.  Verse four states, A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.  This refers to a wife being virtuous to her husband.  She becomes a crown to him.  This does not imply that she worship him, but that she supports him by her actions and attitude toward him.  The woman, or wife, who doesn't uplift her husband, but makes him ashamed, hurts him deep within.  Verse five says, The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.  When we are truly following God's leadership, everything we think will be righteous, or according to God's will.  We can never be righteous by our own thoughts and abilities, but can only be so by following the leadership of God.  As followers of Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells us to give us guidance.  Verse six states, The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.  The things that the wicked say, or teach, can only lead to death, if not physically, then definitely spiritually.  When we are following God's will, we will spread His gospel, which will result in everlasting life if accepted.  Verse seven states, The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.  I believe that we have to view this from the everlasting perspective.  Even if the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer in the world, there is coming a time when the opposite will be true.  The wicked, those who refuse to accept Christ as Savior and Lord, will be overthrown.  The only things that will last at the coming judgment are the things done for God.  Verse eight says, A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.  If we act in wisdom, which can only come from God, we will be commended and if we act from our own perverse desires, we will be despised.  Verse nine states, He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.   Matthew Henry says this refers to someone attempting to present themselves as prosperous when they really aren't.  We might refer to this as putting on airs.  Some people go out of their way to glorify themselves, when they really have nothing of spiritual value.  Verse tens declares, A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.  As followers of Christ, or righteous people, we have an obligation to care for God's creation, including the animals, especially those that we consider ours.  This does not mean that we elevate them to the same status as humans though.  For the wicked, even the natural inclination to treat animals with care is not followed.  Where they should have tender mercies, they only have cruelty.  Verse eleven says,  He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.  I believe this is telling us that when we make an honest living we will be satisfied, but if we chase after the things of this world or get rich schemes we are devoid of the understanding of what brings satisfaction.  Verse twelve states, The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.  Wicked people desire to gain by evil means, often desiring to prosper as others have by dishonest means.  The righteous are content to work for what they have and are satisfied.  Verse thirteen adds, The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.  We are responsible for what we say.  The wicked or sinful man is trapped by his own words which oppose God's teachings.  The just, those who put their faith in God, will be delivered by Him.  Verse fourteen says, A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.  We should speak in a way that glorifies God and shows respect for others.  When we do, if we put our faith in Christ, God will reward us with an everlasting reward.