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Kabir, a saint to millions, a universal Guru and one of the greatest poets, was born in the holy city of Varanasi, located at the banks of river Ganga. He was the son of a Brahmin widow who was later adopted by a childless Muslim couple. His ideas of egalitarianism (all humans are equal) gave a new direction to the Indian society which was divided based on caste, sect and religion. His teachings are in the form of two-lined Doha, written in common man's Hindi. The simplicity, clarity and straight forwardness of these dohas, has always amazed me. Though simple enough I feel a doha looses most of its charm when literally translated into English. Nevertheless, here are few of Kabir's famous dohas, first in its original form, then its (almost) literal translation in English followed by an elaboration.

Bura Jo Dekhan Main Chala, Bura Naa Milya Koye
Jo Munn Khoja Apnaa, To Mujhse Bura Naa Koye

I searched for the crooked one, found him nowhere
Then I looked within, he was there

In this doha, Kabir talks about basic human behavioural instinct - Fault-finding. We are always busy criticizing and condemning others, blaming them for our misery. But Kabir says, instead of trying to find flaws in others, look deep down inside. An honest introspection will reveal that the Evil is within You. If you "exorcise" yourself of that Evil all your problems will vanish and the world will appear beautiful once again.
For instance, if you fail to score in an exam, some of your usual excuses will look like - "The questions were tough", "My pen just broke", "My boyfriend dumped me the night before the exam" and so on, but, if you really think about it , your failure is just the result of your own lack of diligence and seriousness.

Jyon Naino Mein Putli, Tyon Maalik Ghat Mahin
Moorakh Log Na Janhin, Baahar Dhudhan Jahin

Like the pupil in the eye, Lord resides inside
Ignorant not knowing this, search him outside

The question has always puzzled man - "Where can I find God ?" . Kabir answers, He is not in temples, mosques or cathedrals He is inside You. Just like eyes are nothing without pupils, body can't exist without soul. And it is this Soul which is the representation of God that resides in all of us and yet is unseen, unknown.
Once again, Kabir makes his point clear. The Good, the Bad. The Right, the Wrong. The Dev, the Devil. It all starts with and ends at You.

Bada Hua To Kya Hua, Jaise Ped Khajoor
Panthi Ko Chaya Nahin, Phal Laage Atidoor

Eminence is like the tallness of the Date Palm tree
No shade for travelers, fruits far from reach

The Date Palm tree stands tall and mighty. But, what good is such greatness for a weary traveler, who can neither rest in its shade nor can reach its fruits (dates). The only way to achieve Greatness is to be compassionate to others. To sacrifice self and serve the mankind.

And finally my personal favourite

Kaal Kare So Aaj Kar, Aaj Kare So Ub
Pal Mein Pralaya Hoyegi, Bahuri Karoge Kub

Tomorrow's work do it Today, Today's work do it Now
If the moment is Lost, the work will be done How

Sloth - one of the seven deadly sins, is what Kabir is condemning here. One should always do whatever needs to be done and should do it right away. If we keep procrastinating the task at hand, it will never be done. The emphasis is on Now, the Present.
Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is mystery. But, Today is a Gift, that's why is it called Present.
So if you are writing GRE, start working on your vocabulary from today.
Remember, its NOW or NEVER!!

References/Image credits

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabir
My high school Hindi textbooks
www.boloji.com