Proverbs 16:17 says, The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.  The highway is the way where travel is generally the easiest, and the easiest way for us to follow God is to depart from evil.  When we follow the way of God, which must begin with salvation through Christ, we preserve our soul.  Verse eighteen states, Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.  Some people seem to think that only they know everything and are filled with self-pride.  When they feel this way, they are setting themselves up for a fall.  We cannot be haughty in spirit and follow God, but must admit that we are simply sinners saved by grace and that any wisdom we have comes from God.  Verse nineteen declares, Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.  We are better off poor with a humble spirit before God than we are rich following those who do not acknowledge God, or those who live by pride in themselves instead of humility before God.  Verse twenty adds, He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.  To handle a matter wisely, we must follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  When we trust in God, we should be happy, or content, with our life.  Verse twenty-one states, The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.  I believe that this means if we follow God that we will not chase after the things of this world, but will put God first.  Verse twenty-two says, Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.  Again, true understanding can only come from relying on God to guide us, and when we do, we will find that wellspring of life.  To those who will not follow God, everything is folly.  Verse twenty-three declares, The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.  When we follow God we will allow the Holy Spirit to direct our speech.  We will speak in a way that brings honor to God.  Verse twenty-four adds, Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.  We should always attempt to make our words pleasant, as long as we are speaking under God's guidance.  I don't believe that this means that we are always to agree with everything that is said, but we are to attempt to speak softly even when we disagree with someone.  Verse twenty-five states, There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.  People may think that the path they are following is the right way to live successfully, but if they are not following God, then the end of their path will be everlasting destruction.  Verse twenty-six says,  He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.  When we work, we do so to meet our needs.  If we don't work, we may go hungry.  Matthew Henry says this applies to both physically and spiritually.  Verse twenty-seven says, An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.  Those who do not acknowledge the will of God will always be guided by evil.  They may not even appear to be that bad, but ultimately their works will be judged as evil by God.  Verse twenty-eight declares, A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.  Some people just love to spread rumors and create discord among others, even those who are friends.  Verse twenty-nine states, A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.  Violent people tend to attempt to lead others to be the same way.  This is never good, especially for those who are followers of Christ.  We should not allow the violence or hatred of others to cause us to be the same way.  Verse thirty proclaims, He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.  If we begin to allow evil to rule our thoughts, then we will soon be acting on them.  Verse thirty-one states, The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.  Long life is a crown of glory, if it is reached by living in a right relationship with God.  Otherwise, or not living under the will of God, a person has simply gotten old.  Verse thirty-two declares, He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.  People who control their temper are better than those who simply give in to anger to show their strength.  We are to control our actions toward others by the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse thirty-three says,  The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.  No matter what comes our way in this world, God is still in charge.