Proverbs 20:11-12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:11

The tree is known by its fruits, a man by his doings, even a young tree by its first fruits, a child by his childish things, whether his work be clean only, appearing good (the word is used Prov. 16:2), or whether it be right, that is, really good. This intimates, 1. That children will discover themselves. One may soon see what their temper is, and which way their inclination leads them, according as their constitution is. Children have not learned the art of dissembling and concealing their... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:12

Note, 1. God is the God of nature, and all the powers and faculties of nature are derived from him and depend upon him, and therefore are to be employed for him. It was he that formed the eye and planted the ear (Ps. 94:9), and the structure of both is admirable; and it is he that preserves to us the use of both; to his providence we owe it that our eyes are seeing eyes and our ears hearing ears. Hearing and seeing are the learning senses, and must particularly own God's goodness in them. 2.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:11

Even a child is known by his doings ,.... As well as a man; "ye shall know them by their fruits", Matthew 7:16 ; professors and profane. So a child soon discovers its genius by its actions; it soon shows its inclination and disposition; and some shrewd guesses may be made how it will turn out, a wise man or a fool, a virtuous or a vicious man; though this does not always hold good, yet something may be observed, which may be a direction to parents in the education of their children, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:12

The hearing ear, and the seeing eye ,.... There may be an ear that hears not, and an eye that seeth not, and which men may make; the painter can paint an ear and an eye, and a carver can carve both; but they are ears that hear not, and eyes that see not, Psalm 115:5 ; but such as can hear and see are of the Lord's own make; the Lord hath made even both of them ; they are the effects of his wisdom, power, and goodness; see Exodus 4:11 ; they are both senses of excellent use and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:11

Even a child is known by his doings - That is, in general terms, the effect shows the nature of the cause. "A childe is known by his conversation," says Coverdale. A child is easily detected when he has done evil; he immediately begins to excuse and vindicate himself, and profess his innocence, almost before accusation takes place. Some think the words should be understood, every child will dissemble; this amounts nearly to the meaning given above, But probably the principal this intended by... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:12

The hearing ear and the seeing eye - Every good we possess comes from God; and we should neither use our eyes, nor our ears, nor any thing we possess, but in strict subserviency to his will. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:6-11

The frailty of mankind I. THE RARITY OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP . ( Proverbs 20:6 .) Many are ready to promise, few willing to perform. Many eager to say, "Lord, Lord!" comparatively few to do the will of the Father in heaven. There is no want of good notions in the world; but, according to the Italian proverb, many are so good that they are good for nothing. The spirit may be willing, the flesh is weak. Inclination to good needs to be fortified by faith in God. II. THE JUST ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:11

Even a child is known ( maketh himself known ) by his doings . (For "even" ( gam ) , see on Proverbs 17:26 .) A child is open, simple, and straightforward in his actions; he has not the reserves and concealments which men practise, so you see by his conduct what his real character and disposition are. Ewald takes מעלליו in the sense of "play," "games;" but it seems never to have this meaning, and there is no need to change the usual signification. The habits of a life are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:11

A child and his doings I. A PICTURE OF CHILDHOOD . First, let this picture be regarded on its own account, Childhood is worthy of study. 1 . A child has his character. Very early in life varieties of disposition may be seen in the several members of a young family. One is hot-tempered, another patient; one demonstrative, another reserved; one energetic, another inactive. Moral distinctions are painfully and glaringly apparent. As childhood advances these varieties of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:11

Childhood: a transparency, a prophecy, a study It is not apparent why Solomon says, "Even a child is known." It is a familiar fact, at which we may glance, and which seems to be the main thought of the text. I. THE TRANSPARENCY OF CHILDHOOD . Some men are full of guile and of hypocrisy; they have acquired the power of concealing their real thought and feeling beneath their exterior, and you are never quite sure what they mean. You dare not trust them; for their words, or their... read more

Group of Brands