Kabeerdaas ji is categorized as a saint but his thoughts and compositions are not confined to religion, spirituality, meditation and bhajans alone. He also deals with worldly life – the character and behaviour of individuals; practices (and malpractices) rampant in society; evils of caste system which divides people into ‘high’ and ‘low’ classes, etc. He also goes in depth in denouncing superstitions and hypocrisy prevalent in practice of religions and sects in general. He considers them as obstructions in the way of health, peace and happiness of society. We should take all these things into account if we want to understand and interpret Kabeerdaas ji’s poetry correctly.

— Kusum Banthia

हिन्दी में पढ़िये

सुख के संगी स्वारथी, दुःख में रहते दूर ।
कहैं कबीर परमारथी, दुःख-सुख सदा हजूर ।।

Sukh ke sangii swarathii, dukh men rahate door
Kahain Kabeer paramaarathii, dukh shukh sadaa hajoor

In this couplet Kabeerdaas ji is speaking about two types of people in this world. There are selfish persons who think only about themselves, their own welfare, pleasure and convenience. Then there are selfless persons, devoted to welfare of other persons and of society at large. They never give a thought to their own interests. Highlighting their differences, Kabeerdaas ji says, selfish relatives and friends maintain contact with you only as long as their own purpose is served. They never step out to help you in your hour of need. Selfless persons, on the other hand, keep your company not only in good times, but they are always there for you to help you tide over your troubles and misfortunes. In fact, we should maintain relationship with such persons only.

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पहिले यह मन काग था, करता जीवन घात ।
अब तो मन हंसा भया, मोती चुनि-चुनि खात ।।

Pahile yah man kaag thaa, karataa Jeevan ghaat
Ab to man hansaa bhayaa, motii chuni chuni khaat

In this couplet, Kabeerdaas ji says, at one time, his mind was like a crow who kills and consumes rotten things (indulges in sinful acts). Now (after penance, devotion and meditation) it has become (wise and enlightened) like a swan who picks and eats only pearls (behaves only nobly and righteously).
Kabeerdaas ji here want to convey the message that even an originally wicked person can turn into a noble and saintly being if he is willing to improve himself and ready to follow the strict and narrow path of righteousness.