Compassion

Compassion is when we feel sympathy for another person and are inclined to help those in need. To be compassionate is considered a moral virtue.

The term compassion originates from the Latin word compati, which means “to suffer with”.

Compassionate people generally demonstrate prosocial behaviour, meaning their actions help others rather than harm them. They may also engage in altruistic behaviour, where they help others out of compassion without expecting anything in return.

There are many examples of acts of compassion that can be seen in our everyday interactions. These can range from simple gestures like helping someone else who’s struggling with their groceries to devoting your life to the care of the sick and elderly.

Example of Compassion
If you see someone crying, you may feel a responsive sense that you want to help that person overcome their sadness and distress. A compassionate person might put their arm around the crying friend and offer some words of comfort and understanding.