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no_hypocrisy

(54,635 posts)

1. Related, but not the same.

Reply to Buttoneer (Original post)

Thu Oct 30, 2025, 10:30 PM

Oct 2025

Empathy is an internal reaction. Someone is hurt and you can re-live a similar experience that you've had as well. (Different from sympathy where you say, "I can understand how you feel. Empathy is more like "Been there; done that" )

Compassion is more of an external reaction. Someone is hurt and you offer aid, an affirmative act to heal, to restore, to listen.