Key Takeaways
- Pity refers to the strong feeling of sorrow and sympathy, while compassion refers to the awareness and understanding of someone’s suffering accompanied by the desire to help.
- Pity is often not accompanied by the desire to help others, whereas compassion is driven by a genuine desire to help those in need.
- Pity may make you see the person in trouble as a helpless victim and can be associated with negative connotations such as condescension and superiority, while compassion does not have these negative associations.
Pity and compassion are strong emotions that arise when we witness the suffering or misfortune of others. Although some people believe there is no distinction between the two, a subtle difference does exist. Pity is characterized by strong feelings of sorrow and sympathy, whereas compassion involves the awareness and understanding of someone’s suffering, as well as the desire to help alleviate it. This key distinction sets pity and compassion apart.
What is Pity?
Pity refers to a strong feeling of sorrow and sympathy experienced when observing another person’s misfortune or suffering. Although pity is generally considered a benevolent emotion, its modern usage can convey unsympathetic connotations of superiority or condescension. This is because pity typically denotes feelings of sadness and sympathy rather than a genuine desire to help someone in need. Pity can also lead to viewing helpless or troubled individuals as victims, thereby fostering a condescending attitude towards them. Furthermore, when you pity someone, you may feel sorry for them without attempting to understand their problems.
What is Compassion?
Compassion, on the other hand, involves a deep awareness of another’s suffering coupled with the desire to help or relieve that person from their pain. For instance, if you see a sick person and want to aid in their recovery, this emotion can be described as compassion. The willingness to help those in need is the primary difference between pity and compassion. When you feel compassion towards someone, you do not view them as helpless victims; rather, you recognize them as individuals facing difficulties.
What is the difference between Pity and Compassion?
The definition of pity involves a strong feeling of sorrow and sympathy elicited by the misfortunes or sufferings of another, while compassion entails a deep awareness of another’s suffering along with the desire to help or alleviate their pain. Pity often lacks the desire to help others, whereas compassion is driven by an earnest desire to assist those in need. Pity can lead to seeing a person in distress as a helpless victim, whereas compassion allows you to view them as individuals in need without victimizing them. Pity may carry negative connotations such as condescension and superiority, while compassion does not have these associations.
