And therefore is the outward beauty a true sign of the inward goodness, and in bodies this comeliness is imprinted, more and less, as it were, for a mark of the soul, whereby she is outwardly known; as in trees, in which the beauty of the buds giveth a testimony of the goodness of the fruit.

Summary

This quote suggests that a person's outward beauty is an indication of their inner goodness. It compares the beauty of a person's physical appearance to the buds on a tree that indicate the quality of its fruit. In other words, just as a tree's buds give a glimpse into the nature of its fruit, a person's physical beauty reflects their inner character. It implies that one's external appearance can be a reliable sign of their moral and virtuous qualities.

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