[298] Prov. xii. 16.
[299] Prov. xxix. 11.
[300] Prov. xix. 7. All the Proverbs in this selection are in the form of a distich. This affords a fair presumption that this verse with its three clauses is mutilated; and the presumption is confirmed by the fact that the third clause adds nothing of value, even if it be intelligible at all, to the sense. There is good reason, therefore, for believing that this third clause is the half of a distich which has not been preserved in its integrity; all the more because the LXX. have a complete proverb which runs thus: ὁ πολλὰ κακοποιῶν τελεσιουργεῖ κακίαν, ὃς δὲ ἐρεθίζει λόγους οὐ σωθήσεται. "He that does much evil is a craftsman of iniquity, and he that uses provoking words shall not escape." Perhaps in the Hebrew text which was before the Greek translators מְנַדֵּף appeared instead of מְרַדֵּף, and לֹא הָיָה instead of לֹא־הֵמָּה.
[301] Prov. xxvi. 21.
[302] Prov. xxx. 32, 33.
[303] Prov. xii. 18.
[304] Prov. xii. 17.
[305] Prov. xix. 28.
[306] Prov. xix. 5, rep. ver. 9.
[307] Prov. xxi. 28.