Guru Nanak

Founder of Sikhism

Early Modern influential 183 sayings

Sayings by Guru Nanak

The Lord Himself is the enjoyer, and He Himself is the enjoyed.

c. 15th-16th century CE — Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 554
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Whatever is in the universe is in the body of the devotee.

c. 15th-16th century CE — Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 754
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The world is burning in the fire of desire, O Nanak, save it, save it, Lord!

c. 15th-16th century CE — Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 920
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Live in the world, but remain untouched by it, like a lotus in water.

c. 15th-16th century CE — Attributed, often cited in Sikh literature
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The whole world is a manifestation of the Lord.

c. 15th-16th century CE — Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 294
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The Lord is neither male nor female, neither does He have any form or color.

c. 15th-16th century CE — Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 597
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The world is a house of clay, O Nanak, and the soul is a guest.

c. 15th-16th century CE — Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 721
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Without the Naam, life is a waste.

c. 15th-16th century CE — Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 13
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

He who serves the Guru, he alone finds peace.

c. 15th-16th century CE — Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 9
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The mind is the elephant, and the body is the rider.

c. 15th-16th century CE — Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 754
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The Lord is within us, but we search for Him outside.

c. 15th-16th century CE — Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 684
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

By His Command, all forms came into being, by His Command, life descended into them.

c. 15th-16th century CE — Japji Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Pauri 2
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

He who sees the Lord in all, he alone is truly wise.

c. 15th-16th century CE — Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 223
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The Lord is the ocean, and we are the fish in it.

c. 15th-16th century CE — Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 25
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The whole creation is His temple.

c. 15th-16th century CE — Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 663
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Without virtues, there is no devotion.

c. 15th-16th century CE — Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 4
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The world is a fleeting show, a temporary abode.

c. 15th-16th century CE — Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1429
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The mind is a mirror, and the world is its reflection.

c. 15th-16th century CE — Attributed, common in Sikh philosophy
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

He who meditates on the Lord's Name, his sins are washed away.

c. 15th-16th century CE — Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 5
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Why call her inferior, who gives birth to kings?

c. 15th-16th century — Context: Advocating for women's equality
Controversial Unverifiable