Self-righteousness blinds us from seeing ourselves as Jesus sees us.

There are 3 people mentioned in this scene from the ministry of Jesus Christ. 

There was a "prostitute."
There was a "Pharisee"
There was Jesus

THE PROSTITUTE saw herself as a sinner in need of Jesus.  She recognized Jesus for who he was and that she was a sinner:  I have found in my experience with people that there are two kinds of people.  There are the kind of people that don't have to be told that they are sinners.  They are sinners and they know it.   Then there are those who are sinners but don't know it.  Even if they know they are "sinners" they also justify their actions and say, "I am better than most people.  I am generally a good person."  When she entered into the presence of Jesus Christ she wept.  She was moved to tears and convicted of her sin.  She in an act of embarrassment and concern wiped her tears that fell onto the feet of Jesus with her hair.  She humbled herself kissed and anointed his feet with perfume as an act of love and honor. This was a extremely sinful woman.  On the outside she was considered "unclean" but she was not too proud to humble herself before Jesus.  Because she showed Jesus much love she received Christ's righteousness. He forgave her sins! 

THE PHARISEE did not see himself.  He saw the sinfulness of the woman.
He was blinded to his own sinfulness, rather he was disgusted at the intrusion of this prostitute into his home!  As far as he was concerned he was a good and righteous man. He saw no savior that could save him from his sin in his very presence.  Now granted, this man was not as bad a sinner as this woman, however, he still had his own short-comings.  Jesus asked him about two men that owed debt.  One that was a small amount of debt and one was a larger amount but, they both were unable to pay the debt.  I have learned that if we are broke then $50 might as well be $500!  The pharisee although he had a relatively small sin debt he was in the same boat as the woman because they both were unable to pay.  The pharisee was blinded by seeing himself as God saw Him because all he could see was his own goodness.  Many good people fail to receive the grace of God that is available to them because they don't think they need it!  They are blinded to their need for a savior because all they see is their own goodness. 

Jesus saw a woman who was sorrowful, sincere, and sacrificial.  Jesus saw a man that was smug, self-righteous, and cynical.  Suppose you had an opportunity to see yourself as God sees you.  What would you see?  Would you see a person who is need of God's forgiveness and righteousness or would you see a person that is proud and feeling pretty good about yourself?  

Remember God is concerned with the heart not the outward appearances we project. God is concerned with the motives and intentions, not so much the methods of how we do things.  God is concerned with our humility not our pride.