चाह मिटी, चिंता मिटी, मनवा बेपरवाह। जिसको कुछ नहीं चाहिए, वह शहंशाह।।

When desire ends, worry ends with it, and the mind becomes free. Kabir says the one who wants nothing is the true emperor — contentment itself is the greatest wealth.

साधु ऐसा चाहिए, जैसा सूप सुभाय। सार-सार को गहि रहै, थोथा देई उड़ाय।।

A true seeker should be like a grain-sieve — keeping what is essential and blowing away the husk. A person of discernment holds on to truth and lets go of what is worthless.

निंदक नियरे राखिए, आँगन कुटी छवाय। बिन पानी, साबुन बिना, निर्मल करे सुभाय।।

Keep your critic close, even build them a hut in your courtyard — for without water or soap, they purify your character simply by pointing out your faults. Criticism, taken well, becomes a chance for self-improvement.

जिन खोजा तिन पाइयां, गहरे पानी पैठ। मैं बपुरा बूडन डरा, रहा किनारे बैठ।।

Only those who dove into deep water and searched actually found what they sought. Kabir admits that fear of drowning kept him sitting at the shore. Real truth demands committed, courageous seeking — not a shallow effort.

कस्तूरी कुंडल बसै, मृग ढूँढ़े वन माहिं। ऐसे घट-घट राम हैं, दुनिया देखे नाहिं।।

The musk lies within the deer's own navel, yet it wanders the forest searching for its source. In the same way, the divine dwells in every heart, though the world keeps searching outside. Truth lies within, not without.

पोथी पढ़ि पढ़ि जग मुआ, पंडित भया न कोय। ढाई आखर प्रेम का, पढ़े सो पंडित होय।।

Reading endless scriptures, the world has not truly become wise. Kabir says the one who reads and lives the two-and-a-half letters of 'love' becomes the real scholar — direct love outweighs bookish learning.

माला फेरत जुग भया, फिरा न मन का फेर। कर का मनका डार दे, मन का मनका फेर।।

Ages have passed turning prayer beads in the hand, yet the mind's restlessness never turned. Kabir says: drop the beads in your hand and turn the beads of your mind instead — inner transformation matters more than outer ritual.

दुख में सुमिरन सब करे, सुख में करे न कोय। जो सुख में सुमिरन करे, तो दुख काहे को होय।।

Everyone remembers the divine in times of suffering, but almost no one does in times of joy. Kabir says if one remembered the divine in joy too, why would sorrow ever come? True devotion should not be conditional on hardship.

जाति न पूछो साधु की, पूछ लीजिये ज्ञान। मोल करो तरवार का, पड़ा रहन दो म्यान।।

Do not ask a holy person's caste — ask about their knowledge and character instead. Just as a sword is valued for its blade, not its sheath, a person's worth lies in their virtue, not their birth.

तिनका कबहुँ ना निंदिये, जो पाँवन तर होय। कबहुँ उड़ी आँखिन पड़े, तो पीर घनेरी होय।।

Never belittle even a straw lying underfoot — should it blow into your eye, it causes great pain. No person or thing, however small it may seem, deserves to be looked down upon.

कबीरा खड़ा बाज़ार में, माँगे सबकी खैर। ना काहू से दोस्ती, न काहू से बैर।।

Kabir stands in the marketplace wishing everyone well — with special friendship for none, and enmity toward none. A statement of even-handed goodwill toward all, central to Kabir's humanist outlook.