Al Ghazzali

A man of piety was following Christ.  A thief seeing this though to himself, "If I sit in the company of the pious one, perhaps God may for his sake forgive me."  Pronpted by humility in his heart, the thief started condeming himself for the unpious life he had led.  He considered himself unfit to sit by the side of such a saint.  On the other hand, the pious man, seing the thief seated by his side, reprimanded him lest his shadow corrupt him.  Immediately, Christ heard the Divine Voice say, "Tell the pious one and the thief that I have washed clean the scrolls of both.  The virtues of the pious and the sins of the thief are washed clean.  Mow they must start life again.  The virtues of the pious are washed away because of his pride, and the sins of the thief are washed away because of his humility and repentance."