Proverbs Chapter 20 verse 11 Holy Bible
Even a child maketh himself known by his doings, Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
read chapter 20 in ASV
Even a child may be judged by his doings, if his work is free from sin and if it is right.
read chapter 20 in BBE
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
read chapter 20 in DARBY
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
read chapter 20 in KJV
read chapter 20 in WBT
Even a child makes himself known by his doings, Whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
read chapter 20 in WEB
Even by his actions a youth maketh himself known, Whether his work be pure or upright.
read chapter 20 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 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 learned in early age. The boy is father of the man. Delitzsch quotes the German proverbs, "What means to become a hook bends itself early," and "What means to become a thorn sharpens itself early;" and the Aramaean, "That which will become a gourd shows itself in the bud:" Whether his work be pure ("clean," as ver. 9 and Proverbs 16:2), and whether it be right. His conduct will show thus much, end will help one to prognosticate the future. Septuagint (according to the Vatican), "In his pursuits (ἐπιήδευμασιν) a young man will be fettered in company with a holy man, and his way will be straight," which seems to mean that a good man will restrain the reckless doings of a giddy youth, and will lead him into better courses.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(11) Even a child is known by his doings . . .--The disposition soon shews itself; all the more reason, therefore, to train it betimes.
