There is absolutely nothing man can do of his own invention that would make him right in the sight of God. So in that sense works do not save. Only the grace of God can save man.
On the other hand we are commanded to obey the will of God in order to be right in his sight.
To obey the will of God requires man to do or not do certain things. In this regard, obedience to God is often seen as a work.
So, to a repentent sinner grace is sufficent to an unrepentent sinner grace is of no help.
Scripture makes the distinction between two types of works. One is the works of righteousness, which does nothing for salvation: Titus 3: 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit
The other are good works, which are the result of faith and can make faith perfect: James 2:22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
To condemn all works as contrary to grace goes against Scripture.