Proverbs 12 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

"Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge." But Paul expresses a different view in 1 Cor.14:38: "But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant."

See 1 Cor. 14:38.

2 A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

Be kind to animals. (Don't eat them.)

God only allowed eating of animals after the flood, Gen. 9:3, indicating this was not allowed before the flood. This might have been because of food shortages after the flood. So eating animals is not wrong, but there is certainly nothing against it if one doesn't eat animals.

11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

"The just shall come out of trouble."
Has the ever been a just person?

See Matthew 1:19.

14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise."

But where is council to be found? Is that not in the Word of the almighty God? And if we reject that council and mock it and despise it? Are we not fools?

16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

"The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment."

And indeed, even if we lie about what the Bible says and twist into it a meaning it does not have.

20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

"There shall no evil happen to the just."
Bad things only happen to bad people.
Do bad things happen to good people?
Has the ever been a just person?

Evil is sin. The meaning is that no sin shall overcome and destroy the just. The author of the SAB gives a very different meaning to evil: he calls God's chastening hand, Heb. 12:6, evil. Which it cannot be, because God loves his people. How can correction be evil when God's ways are perfect and his intention is our good?
Also, no one, including the righteous, will be exempt from living in a fallen world. We live in a world of death and destruction. And even for those who have become Christians they often reap the fruits of sin which they have sown before.
The verses in Habakkuk have a different meaning, see Hab. 1:4.
On if there has been a just man, see Matthew 1:19.

22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

"Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord." If so, then why did God "put a lying spirit in the mouths" of prophets? (1 Kg.22:23)
Is it wrong to lie?

See 1 Kg. 22:23.

23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.