Compassion vs. Kindness — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 15, 2023
Compassion is a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering, while kindness is a considerate act or gesture towards others. Both manifest care, but compassion often arises from empathy.
Difference Between Compassion and Kindness
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Compassion and kindness are two virtues that enrich human connections. Compassion is an emotional response where one deeply feels for another's pain or suffering and wishes to alleviate it. When someone has compassion, they are often moved by situations where individuals or even groups are in distress or facing hardships, making them want to help or extend comfort in any possible way.
Kindness, conversely, pertains to acts of goodwill, benevolence, and consideration directed towards others. It doesn't always require the deep emotional response that compassion demands. For instance, holding a door open, complimenting someone, or even just giving a friendly smile are all gestures of kindness.
It's crucial to note that while all compassionate acts can be considered kind, not all acts of kindness stem from compassion. A person might help an elderly individual cross the street out of kindness without necessarily feeling the deep-seated compassion that might arise when seeing someone in anguish or pain.
In essence, compassion is an emotional resonance with another's distress, often leading to acts of kindness. In contrast, kindness can be a standalone gesture, done without the profound emotional engagement that compassion entails, but still holds immense value in nurturing human connections.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Deep awareness and sympathy for another's suffering
Considerate act or gesture towards others
ADVERTISEMENT
Nature
Emotional
Action-oriented
Trigger
Often arises from empathy
Can be spontaneous without profound emotional engagement
Depth
Profound understanding of another's pain
Act of goodwill and benevolence
Example
Feeling sorrow for a grieving friend
Offering a seat to someone
Compare with Definitions
Compassion
Emotion that motivates a desire to help.
Compassion for his struggling classmate led him to offer tutoring sessions.
Kindness
Displaying gentleness and concern.
The kindness of strangers restored his faith in humanity.
Compassion
Deep-rooted sensitivity to suffering.
Her compassion is evident in the way she cares for the elderly.
Kindness
A gesture of goodwill and consideration.
Random acts of kindness can brighten someone's day.
Compassion
Empathetic understanding of another's pain.
Her compassion for homeless individuals led her to volunteer at shelters.
Kindness
Benevolent behavior towards others.
Her kindness was evident when she baked cookies for her neighbors.
Compassion
A deep urge to alleviate suffering.
The compassion he felt upon seeing the injured animal was overwhelming.
Kindness
Treating others with warmth and respect.
A simple act of kindness can leave a lasting impression.
Compassion
Sympathetic pity for the misfortunes of others.
Compassion is what drives many to donate to disaster relief funds.
Kindness
Kindness is a type of behavior marked by acts of generosity, consideration, or concern for others, without expecting praise or reward. Kindness was one of the main topics in the Bible.
Compassion
Compassion motivates people to go out of their way to help the physical, mental, or emotional pains of another and themselves. Compassion is often regarded as having sensitivity, which is an emotional aspect to suffering.
Kindness
The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate
He thanked them for their kindness and support
Compassion
Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others
The victims should be treated with compassion
Kindness
The quality or state of being kind.
Compassion
Deep awareness of the suffering of another accompanied by the wish to relieve it.
Kindness
An instance of kind behavior
Your kindnesses won't be forgotten.
Compassion
Deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it.
Kindness
The state of being kind.
Jamie's kindness is legendary, so much that people have taken advantage of her.
Compassion
(obsolete) To pity.
Kindness
An instance of kind or charitable behaviour.
Do me a kindness and leave.
I'm going to turn a blind eye to this misdemeanour, out of the kindness of my heart.
Compassion
Literally, suffering with another; a sensation of sorrow excited by the distress or misfortunes of another; pity; commiseration.
Womanly ingenuity set to work by womanly compassion.
Kindness
The state or quality of being kind, in any of its various senses; manifestation of kind feeling or disposition beneficence.
I do fear thy nature;It is too full o' the milk of human kindnessTo catch the nearest way.
Unremembered actsOf kindness and of love.
Compassion
To pity.
Kindness
A kind act; an act of good will; as, to do a great kindness.
Compassion
A deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering
Kindness
The quality of being warm-hearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic
Compassion
The humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it
Kindness
Tendency to be kind and forgiving
Kindness
A kind act
Kindness
Demonstrating care without expecting anything in return.
The teacher's kindness towards her students made a positive impact on their lives.
Common Curiosities
How can one cultivate more compassion?
By practicing empathy, mindfulness, and actively trying to understand others' feelings and struggles.
Which is more action-oriented: compassion or kindness?
Kindness, as it directly involves benevolent actions or gestures.
Can kindness be shown without feeling compassion?
Yes, kindness can be a standalone gesture without the depth of feeling that compassion involves.
What's the key emotion behind compassion?
Compassion arises from a deep emotional understanding and empathy for another's suffering.
How do compassion and kindness benefit society?
Both virtues foster understanding, unity, and positive human connections, making societies more cohesive and harmonious.
Is compassion an innate trait?
While some individuals might be naturally more compassionate, it's also a trait that can be nurtured and developed.
Can one be compassionate towards oneself?
Absolutely, self-compassion involves recognizing one's own suffering and treating oneself with kindness.
Is compassion always followed by an act of kindness?
While compassion often leads to kind actions, it's possible to feel compassion without acting on it.
Can animals show compassion and kindness?
Yes, many animals display behaviors indicative of both compassion and kindness towards others of their species or even humans.
How can parents teach kindness to children?
Through role modeling, positive reinforcement, storytelling, and encouraging empathetic behaviors.
How does one differentiate between genuine and superficial kindness?
Genuine kindness is selfless and comes without expecting anything in return, while superficial kindness might be driven by ulterior motives.
How does kindness impact one's mental health?
Acts of kindness can boost mood, reduce stress, and foster feelings of happiness and fulfillment.
Is there a link between compassion and morality?
Yes, many ethical and moral frameworks value compassion as a guiding principle for right conduct.
Can compassion be overwhelming?
Yes, excessive compassion without self-care can lead to compassion fatigue, especially in caregiving professions.
Are compassion and kindness cultural constructs?
While their expressions might vary across cultures, the basic principles of understanding and goodwill are universal.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Grief vs. Bereavement
Next Comparison
Antigen vs. PathogenAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
