Page:The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors Vol 1.djvu/340

244 The following was Guru Nanak's remonstrance to a man who reviled the female sex:–

Guru Nanak In a vessel man is conceived, from a vessel he is born, with a vessel he is betrothed and married.

With a vessel he contracteth friendship; with a vessel he goeth through the world.

When one vessel dieth, another is sought for; to a vessel he is bound.

Why call her bad from whom are born kings?

From a vessel a vessel is born; none may exist without a vessel.

Nanak, only the one True God is independent of a vessel.

The mouth which ever praiseth Him is fortunate and beautiful.

Nanak, that face shall be bright in the court of the True One.

XIX Every one calleth Thee his own, O Lord; those who do not so call Thee Thou puttest away.

Every one must bear the result of his own acts, and adjust his own account.

Since ye are not to remain in this world, why practise ye pride?

Call no one bad; know this by reading these words.

Dispute not with a fool.

XX Nanak, the mind and body of him who talketh evil are evil:

He is most evil, and most evil is his reputation.

The evil person is rejected in God's court; his face is spat upon.

The evil person is a fool, and receiveth shoe-beatings as punishment.