2 categories of people

"The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18: 11-14.

In the eyes of God all people belong to one group - sinners. Within this group there are 2 subgroups: those who understand it, and those who don't. Some might have high standards of morale (no robbing, no evil doing, no adultery, paying the tithe and bla, bla, bla) and even follow it, but God's standards of morale is still higher. Nobody can fully reach those without being born again and with the help of the Holy Ghost. Those that follow their own standards without admitting need for God's forgiveness, do not get it. They walk in self righteousness and fail to get God's righteousness.

The other group, that generally understand their sinfulness typically have failed with the standards of morale that the pharisee referred in his prayer. This leads to humility and repentance. These two, Jesus said grant one God's justification without actually doing good works. We have to understand, justification that God provides for us, comes through repenting for our sins and believing in what Jesus did for us. You cannot earn God's favor. He gives it freely for everybody who believes.