Here are some of the quotes I ran across as I looked at this parable. The parable is simple, yet humbling in so many ways. It exposes our tendency toward self-righteousness, and points to God’s incredible disposition towards mercy toward the humble.
From Turning Your World Upside Down by Richard Phillips
“Pride is one of the greatest and most deeply embedded sins in human nature.” Richard Phillips
“Pride is the worst viper in the heart … nothing is so hateful to God, contrary to the spirit of the gospel, or of so dangerous consequence…” Jonathan Edwards
“The Pharisee is self-righteous because his standard of comparison is other people, and especially those who stand out in depravity.” Richard Phillips
From Love Walked Among Us by Paul Miller
“Self-righteousness is like bad breath. Others can smell it but you can’t.”
“Getting in touch with your inner tax collector makes room for God’s energy in your life.”
Jerram Barrs’ book The Heart of Prayer provided this great one.
“The most basic of all sins is seeking to live independently of God: to live pretending that we do not need him, to live as if we owned the world, to live as if we could make happen whatever we desire, to live as if we were in full control of our lives.”
And lastly there is this gem from Concerning the True Care of Souls by Martin Bucer. It bears much meditation and attention, though it is quite simple.
“Thus the health and life of the inner man consists in a true living faith in the mercifulness of God and a sure confidence in the forgiveness of sin which Christ the Lord has acquired and earned for us.”
Cavman Considers 
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