Compassion and sympathy are often used to indicate similar states of feeling, but the latter word is of a twofold meaning, and when not synonymous with compassion it becomes its antithesis. Compassion signifies a deep tenderness for one who may be under adverse circumstances, yet without lending itself to the same degree or attitude of thought, whereas sympathy indicates a kindred feeling and, as defined by Webster under synonyms for pity, "requires a certain degree of equality in situation, circumstances, etc., for its fullest exercise." To illustrate: A mother may have compassion for her child who is weeping over a broken doll, but to sympathize with her would necessitate the relinquishment of her own view-point and an acquiescence in some degree in the belief that a heartbreaking catastrophe had transpired, thus doubling the grief of the situation.
Compassion is always constructive of good and deals with affirmative qualities, while sympathy in its lower sense, is often destructive to harmony and deals with negative qualities. To compassion, earth's dark places are but the arena wherein the forces of good triumph over error, while sympathy generally beholds them only as the scenes of 'defeat and woe. Compassion whispers tenderly to the frightened child, "Fear not, little one, nor be dismayed, for the everlasting arms of Love encircle you; there shall no evil befall you," —and the tears cease. Sympathy exclaims, "You poor dear child; it is terrible, and I know it! What shall I do for you?" — and the child cries on. Compassion gently reminds the mourner that "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning;" whereas sympathy anchors its victim in the depths of despair and sadly cries, "It is very hard, but there's no help for it. I'll sit down and cry with you."
Scientific compassion gently lifts to its own optimistic and wholesome level the "bruised reed," and with its foresight of inevitable good mercifully wipes away the tears of the struggling heart, feeding and sustaining it until the sunshine of Truth pierces the clouds of error with the light of eternal harmony. Compassion judges "righteous judgment," and points to the sun above the storm-clouds. Always cheerful, it awakens hope, inspires with courage, and instils that energy which is based not upon human will, but upon the recognition of man's dominion through spiritual power. Compassion is born of divine Love, and ripens through experience into the far-seeing wisdom which finds the open way through the Red sea and which resists pursuing fears or hostile may-bes and might-have-beens until the peaceful pastures of spiritual dominion are reached. Compassion is ever loyal though impartial, ever kind though firm. It is merciful and just, but never spares through false pity the smoking flax, nor forces the hearts of men, but with self-abasement it steadfastly waits on "the sweet amenities of Love" (Manual, p. 40) to reassure faltering faith and to open the blinded eyes of headstrong human will.
