Ezekiel 16:44 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Behold, every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter. As is the mother, so is her daughter - כאמה בתה keimmah bittah, "As the mother, her daughter." As is the cause, so is the effect. As is the breeding, so is the practice. A silken purse cannot be made out of a swine's ear. What is bred in the bone seldom comes out of the flesh. All such proverbs show the necessity of early holy precepts, supported by suitable example.