As is often articulated, largely our society is one characterised, in the words of a previous pope, as a "culture of death." That is, life is not regarded with the esteem in which God intended and the result is a whole lot of man-caused death.
Proverbs was written to highlight that there are two paths on which a person can travel: the path of wisdom, which leads to life, and the path of folly, which leads to death. This life and death is not merely a matter pertaining to the individual, but it pertains to the wider society as well. Proverbs 1:8-19 points to this truth as it highlights wisdom and the sanctity of life.