Charles Ellicott Commentary James 3:11

"Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet [water] and bitter?" — James 3:11 (ASV)

Does a (or, the) fountain send forth (literally, spurt) at the same place (or, hole, see margin) sweet water and bitter (i.e., fresh water and salt)?—A vivid picture, probably, of the mineral springs abounding in the Jordan valley, near the Dead Sea; with which might be contrasted the clear and sparkling rivulets of the north, fed by the snows of Lebanon. Nature had no confusion in her plans; and thus, to pour out curses and blessings from the same lips is unnatural indeed. Or, again—