A Study in Contrasts

Two events last week came to my attention. One was an academic proclaiming to anyone who would listen how his latest work was the most brilliant thing ever written. The other was a very impressive individual given an award who insisted that really we are all just people and that he was no better than anyone else. The two remind me of a scripture:

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
(Luke 18:10–13)

Le plus ça change . . .