Proverbs 20:11 (BSB)

Even a young man is known by his actions—whether his conduct is pure and upright.

From Proverbs 20. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 20:11

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on 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 Pro 16:2), or whether it be right, that is, really good. This intimates, 1. That children will discover themselves.
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Proverbs 20:11: Even a child is known by his doings,.... As well as a man; "ye shall know them by their fruits", Mat 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...
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Proverbs 20:11: The conduct of children even is the best test of principle (compare Mat 7:16).
• Keil & Delitzsch (Lutheran), Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament on Proverbs 20:11: Pro 20:11 11 Even a child maketh himself known by his conduct, Whether his dispostion be pure and whether it be right. If מעלל may be here understood after the use of עולל, to play, to pass the time with anything, then גּם neht refers thereto: even by his play (Ewald). But granting that מעולל [children], synon.