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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
Theophylact of Ohrid
Pride also beyond all other passions disturbs the mind of man. And hence the very frequent warnings against it. It is moreover a contempt of God; for when a man ascribes the good he doth to himself and not to God, what else is this but to deny God? For the sake then of those that so trust in themselves, that they will not ascribe the whole to God, and therefore despise others, He puts forth a parable, to show that righteousness, although it may bring man up to God, yet if he is clothed with pride, casts him down to hell.
Ancient Greek Expositor
To be diligent in prayer was the lesson taught by our Lord in the parable of the widow and the judge, He now instructs us how we should direct our prayers to Him, in order that our prayers may not be fruitless. The Pharisee was condemned because he prayed heedlessly. As it follows, The Pharisee stood and prayed with himself.
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
Does it not strike you when the Lord says in the Gospel, "When the Son of man comes, do you think he will find faith on earth?" Knowing that some would arrogantly attribute this faith to themselves, he immediately said, "To some who seemed to themselves to be just and despised others, he spoke this parable. Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee and the other a publican, etc."
Bede
He also spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves as righteous and despised others. Because the Lord concluded the parable, in which He always taught to pray and not to lose heart, saying that when the judge comes, faith would be hard to find on earth, lest anyone should flatter themselves with useless faith, knowledge, or even confession; immediately following with another parable, He more diligently showed that from God, faith is examined not by words, but by deeds. Among which deeds, humility predominates greatly. …
Bonaventure
But he spoke to certain ones who trusted in themselves etc. After he has urged the persistence of prayer, in this part he intends to urge reverence in prayer. But since reverence cannot be had in prayer unless humility is also had in one's manner of life, therefore in this part he first introduces a parabolic example to commend humility in prayer; and second, an explicit example to commend humility in one's manner of life, at the passage: And they were bringing infants to him. In unfolding the parable, he proceeds in this manner. …
Translation