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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
Cyril of Alexandria
Each man's life also will be a criterion of his character. For not by extrinsic ornaments and pretended humility is the beauty of true happiness discovered, but by those things which a man does; of which he gives an illustration, adding, For of thorns men do not gather figs.
Clement of Alexandria
For since all forms of speech flow from mind and manners, ludicrous expressions could not be uttered, did they not proceed from ludicrous practices. For the saying, "It is not a good tree which produces corrupt fruit, nor a corrupt tree which produces good fruit," is to be applied in this case. For speech is the fruit of the mind. If, then, wags are to be ejected from our society, we ourselves must by no manner of means be allowed to stir up laughter. …
Isidore of Pelusium
He does not then exclude repentance, but a continuance in evil, which as long as it is evil cannot bring forth good fruit, but being converted to virtue, will yield abundance. But what nature is to the tree, our affections are to us. If then a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit, how shall a corrupt heart?
Western Saints
Bede
"Every tree which does not bear fruit will be cut down and cast into the fire." He is referring to human beings as trees and to their works as the fruit. Do you want to know which are the bad trees and what are the bad fruits? The apostle teaches us this. …
Bonaventure
For there is no good tree, etc. After he has drawn back from the rashness of judging, here he instructs in the prudence of discerning, which indeed he does in this order. First he proposes a metaphorical similitude; second he draws out an explicit instruction; third from this he reproves a deceptive simulation. Therefore a metaphorical similitude is proposed, when it is said: For there is not a good tree that brings forth bad fruit. …
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