Some of the proverbs are "didactic"; that is, Solomon is attempting to teach a moral lesson or instruct us how to act ethically. Others, however, are more in line with philosophical observations about life.
For instance, verses 12 tells us, "There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death." What is Solomon saying here? He is making the observation that many people are naturally misguided. They believe that they are acting in accordance with right principles, but they are deceived. The key word is "seems". This is something that doesn't necessarily have a moral lesson behind it, other than the caution that we should objectively consider our actions.
Verse 13 is similar in purpose. We read, "Even in laughter the heart is sad, and the end of joy is grief." Solomon isn't urging a course of action here. He is noting that even in lighter times of joy and merriment, there is a heaviness to our existence. This kind of depressing outlook will be realized more fully in Solomon's final work, Ecclesiastes.
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