And he spoke this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
All Commentaries on Luke 18:9 Go To Luke 18
Basil the Great
AD 379
“He prayed with himself,” that is, not with God, his sin of pride sent him back into himself. It follows, God, I thank you.
The difference between the proud man and the scorner is in the outward form alone. The one is engaged in reviling others, the other in presumptuously extolling: himself.
In like manner it is possible to be honorably elated when your thoughts indeed are not lowly, but your mind by greatness of soul is lifted up towards virtue. This loftiness of mind is seen in a cheerfulness amidst sorrow; or a kind of noble dauntlessness in trouble i a contempt of earthly things, and a conversation in heaven. And this loftiness of mind seems to differ from that elevation which is engendered of pride, just as the stoutness of a well-regulated body differs from the swelling of the flesh which proceeds from dropsy.
