Platitudes in Proverbs?

One often comes across seeming platitudes in Proverbs e.g. "A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies." (Prov 12:17). But as I think about it, this is no mere platitude. The truthful man gives honest testimony because he is a truthful person. The person telling lies does it because they are a false person. What they do arises out of who they are. These kind of proverbs point out that the primary issue in righteousness is not simply obedience to a norm, but character. The Spirit of God is not simply getting me to do the right thing, but to becomethe right sort of person. My righteous/sinful behaviour is really an expression of character, not simply a failure to obey a command. I must not only be someone who gives honest testimony, but I must be a truthful kind of a person.

Lord, make me into an honest man!