Even a child is known by his deeds
A proverb according to which one can see and discern a child’s character by his actions (ma‘alal means deed).
("Even by his deeds a youth is recognized, whether his conduct is pure and whether it is upright" – Proverbs 20:11)
Translation
Expression (Hebrew)
בְּמַעֲלָלָיו יִתְנַכֶּר נָעַר
Definition (Hebrew)
פִּתְגָּם לְפִיו נִתָּן לִרְאוֹת וּלְהַבְחִין בְּאָפְיוֹ שֶׁל הַיֶּלֶד ע"פ מַעֲשָׂיו (מַעֲלָל מַשְׁמָע מַעֲשֶׂה).
("גַּם בְּמַעֲלָלָיו יִתְנַכֶּר נָעַר אִם זַךְ וְאִם יָשָׁר פָּעֳלוֹ"- מִשְׁלֵי כ יָא)