tree is known by its fruit

a tree is known by its fruit(, a man by his deeds)

proverb A person's or group's character or worth is determined by others based on their actions or the results thereof. It's all well and good for these companies to claim that they're going to work towards protecting the environment, but a tree is known by its fruit. A: "He claimed he would do anything he could to help me, but he always came up with some excuse or another whenever I actually reached out for help." B: "Well, I guess you know what kind of a person he really is. A tree is known by its fruit, a man by his deeds." Now that he's stood you up for your date, I guess you know what kind of man he is. They do say that a tree is known by its fruit, a man by his deeds.

See also: by, known, man, tree

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

tree is known by its fruit

Prov. People judge your character by what you do. (Biblical.) The politician may say she believes in more spending on child care, but the tree is known by its fruit; she hasn't voted for a single measure that would help.

See also: by, fruit, known, tree

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.