Standards and Expectations

As we go through life, we build our world out of beliefs that we have been raised with and have picked up and developed over time.  Included in this are the standards by which we just judge ourselves and others and the expectations we have of ourselves and of others.
We have problems of two sorts in this situation.  First, when we judge others by our standard (which is usually somewhat arbitrary) and second, when we don't judge ourselves consistent with a standard.
I've heard it said that when we judge others we always go by the book, but when we judge ourselves, we are always extra gracious and understanding of the "extenuating circumstances".  This is exactly backwards when we remember that we actually know our circumstances but not the circumstances that have formed the world of others.  Obviously, no sin is ever excusable, but giving grace to others and trying to sympathize with others weakness is always called for.  I would argue that this is the biggest problem in many Protestant camps.  They know and understand far less than they think they do.
Look at how Jesus handled those around him.  He was hard nosed with the Pharisees (those who should have known better) and he was gracious and forgiving with the common man.  The standard by which we judge ourselves should be nothing short of holiness.  We shouldn't judge others, period.