One should not inquire about a saint's caste, but rather ask about his knowledge. Just as one should value the sword, and leave the scabbard alone.

Kabir’s perspective is a powerful call to judge people by their character, not their background. He tells us that asking about a saint's caste is meaningless; we should instead seek their knowledge. The core metaphor comparing the sword to the scabbard emphasizes this point: the true worth is in the functional, sharp blade, while the scabbard is merely a decorative, secondary covering. Kabir insists that inner substance is what truly matters in life.