Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 20:11 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right. "
Proverbs 20:11
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin”?
10 Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
11 Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD has made even both of them.
13 Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
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A tree is known by its fruit, and a person is known by what he does. Even a young tree can be judged by its first fruit, and a child by the things he naturally does. We can tell whether a child’s work is only clean on the outside, meaning it merely looks good (the word is used in Proverbs 16:2), or whether it is right, truly good in God’s sight.
This teaches, first, that children will show what they are like. Soon enough, you can see their temper and the direction of their desires, as their nature becomes clear. Children have not yet learned the skill of hiding what they are like, as grown people often have.
Second, parents should watch their children closely. That helps them understand each child’s nature and gifts, so they can guide them well. They should encourage what is useful and draw out what is faulty. Wisdom is helpful in this and gives good direction.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 20:1
"Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise."
Proverbs 20:2
"The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life."
Proverbs 20:3
"It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling."
Proverbs 20:4
"The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing."
Proverbs 20:5
"Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out."
Proverbs 20:6
"Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?"
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