Luke 6:43-45

For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit, &c. See notes on Matthew 7:16; Matthew 12:33. For of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh The meaning of this whole passage is, as a tree is known to be either good or bad by its fruit, so a man is known to be either good or bad by his words; especially when he speaks of the characters and actions of others, or pretends to rebuke them. On such occasions he will, either by the charitable and mild constructions which he puts upon the doubtful actions of others, show himself to be a good man; or, by his uncharitable and harsh interpretations, demonstrate the wickedness of his own heart.