As fallen men, we are apt to love the law. Not in the Psalm 119 “Oh how I love your law” way, but in a way that just throws gas on the fire of our fallen nature. And so, it’s a curse. The nature of God is wrapped up in it, since it DOES describe what is truly right and wrong, but it only serves to condemn us. When we embrace it and hate others with it, we are embracing death, besides (obviously) hypocrisy.
Merton addresses the Pharisee’s here.
The Pharisee…practiced many virtues, but lied before God because he thought his piety made him better than other men. He despised sinners, and worshiped a false god who despised them like himself.
-Thomas Merton, No Man is an Island, Ch.3 Sec.12
The pharisee who splits hairs and rationalizes his way out of these chances for self-dedication [serving other people], although he may theorize and dogmatize about the will of God, never fully does that will for he never really abandons himself to the influence of divine charity.
-Ch.4 Sec.10