The "speck" symbolizes minor faults or sins in others that we are quick to notice. The term "brother" here is significant.

How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,' when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite!

New International Version. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

5 You hypocrite! First, take the log out of your own eye; then you will see clearly, so that you can remove the splinter from your brother's eye!

To help another with a speck in his eye, a person must first remove the log of obvious sin from his own eye. He also warns against wasting time or effort on ...

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye." (Matthew 7:3-5).

New International Version “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

Why do you look at the [insignificant] speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice and acknowledge the [egregious] log that is in your own eye?

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but don't consider the beam that is in your own eye? The Novum Testamentum Graece text is: τί δὲ ...

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ...