The Pharisee thought that he is good enough, so that he deserves God to pay attention to him. The Tax Collector thought that he is not good enough, so he does not deserve God to pay attention to him.
The Pharisee thought that by good works, he can go to heaven. The Tax Collector thought that he is not good enough, to go to heaven.
The Pharisee thought that he does not need the grace of God. The Tax Collector thought asked God for his mercy.
The Pharisee was self-righteous, the Tax Collector was self-condemned. But even self-condemned is better than self-righteous, because it still makes you think that you need the grace of God.
The Pharisee thought that he is going to heaven. The Tax Collector thought, that he is going to hell. The Pharisee who thought that he is going to heaven, was heading in full speed to hell. The Tax Collector, who thought that he is bound to go hell, was in a full speed to heaven.
The one was a self made saint, the other was a God made saint.
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