βλέπεις τὸ κάρφος. The hypocrite sees (βλέπει) at the slightest glance the mote in his brother’s eye; but not the most careful inspection enables him to observe (κατανοεῖν) the very obvious beam in his own eye. κάρφος, a stalk or chip, and this is also the idea of mote. Thus in Dutch mot is dust of wood; in Spanish mota is a flue on cloth.

τὴν δοκόν. The entire illustration is Jewish, and was used to express impatience of just reproof (Babha Bathra, f. 15. 2) so that ‘mote’ and ‘beam’ became proverbial for little and great faults. The proverb also implies, ‘How can you see others’ faults properly with a beam in the depth of your eye (ἔκβαλε … ἐκ, Matthew 7:5)? how dare you condemn when you are so much worse?’ Comp. Chaucer (Reeve’s Prologue),

“He can wel in myn eye see a stalke
But in his owne he can nought seen a balke.”

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Old Testament