Suffering vs. Passion — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 4, 2024
Suffering implies experiencing pain or distress, often seen as negative and unwanted; passion, however, denotes a strong emotional commitment or enthusiasm, typically viewed as positive and fulfilling.
Difference Between Suffering and Passion
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Suffering involves undergoing pain, distress, or hardship, which is inherently perceived as negative and often relates to physical, mental, or emotional strain. Whereas passion represents intense, driving feelings of enthusiasm or desire, usually associated with positive engagement and fulfillment in activities, interests, or relationships.
Suffering is usually something individuals seek to avoid or alleviate, as it can negatively impact one's quality of life and overall well-being. On the other hand, passion is something people often strive to cultivate or maintain, as it can enhance personal satisfaction and motivation in life.
Suffering can occur without one's choice or control, often imposed by external circumstances or internal conditions like illness or grief. Whereas passion is typically a result of personal inclination or choice, actively pursued or embraced by an individual.
Suffering often leads individuals to seek help, relief, or escape, highlighting a movement away from the source of pain. In contrast, passion drives individuals towards deeper engagement with the source of their interest, indicating a movement towards rather than away from it.
Suffering can be a transient or prolonged experience, but it is generally seen as something to be mitigated or resolved. Whereas passion can be a sustaining force that propels a person forward, even becoming a defining aspect of one's identity.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Experience of pain, distress, or hardship.
Intense enthusiasm or desire.
Perception
Negative, unwanted.
Positive, fulfilling.
Relation to Choice/Control
Often involuntary, imposed by circumstances.
Typically voluntary, driven by personal interest or choice.
Outcome or Direction
Movement away from source of pain or distress.
Movement towards an object of interest or love.
Role in Life
Generally something to overcome or alleviate.
Often a motivating or defining force.
Compare with Definitions
Suffering
The condition of someone who has experienced a great loss or misfortune.
Her suffering after the loss was visible to all.
Passion
A strong affection or enthusiasm for something.
Her passion for painting started at a young age.
Suffering
Enduring pain or distress.
Patients suffering from chronic pain seek various treatments.
Passion
The object of someone’s intense interest or enthusiasm.
Classical music has always been his passion.
Suffering
Experiencing or being subjected to something bad or unpleasant.
The country's people are suffering under a tyrannical regime.
Passion
Strong and barely controllable emotion.
He spoke with passion about his dreams for the future.
Suffering
The act of bearing or enduring pain or distress.
The suffering endured by the community during the flood was immense.
Passion
A powerful emotion, such as love or anger.
They were swept away by a passion for each other.
Suffering
The state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship.
The suffering caused by the disease was profound.
Passion
An intense desire or enthusiasm for something.
His passion for innovation drives our development team.
Suffering
Suffering, or pain in a broad sense, may be an experience of unpleasantness and aversion associated with the perception of harm or threat of harm in an individual. Suffering is the basic element that makes up the negative valence of affective phenomena.
Passion
Strong and barely controllable emotion
A man of impetuous passion
Suffering
The state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship
Weapons that cause unnecessary suffering
His disregard for the sufferings of his fellow countrymen
Passion
Strong or powerful emotion
A crime of passion.
Suffering
The condition of one who suffers; the bearing of pain or distress.
Passion
A powerful emotion, such as anger or joy
A spirit governed by intense passions.
Suffering
An instance of pain or distress.
Passion
The object of such desire or love
She became his passion.
Suffering
Experiencing pain; characterized by suffering.
Passion
Boundless enthusiasm
His skills as a player don't quite match his passion for the game.
Suffering
The condition of someone who suffers; a state of pain or distress.
Passion
The object of such enthusiasm
Soccer is her passion.
Suffering
Present participle of suffer
Passion
An abandoned display of emotion, especially of anger
He's been known to fly into a passion without warning.
Suffering
The bearing of pain, inconvenience, or loss; pain endured; distress, loss, or injury incurred; as, sufferings by pain or sorrow; sufferings by want or by wrongs.
Passion
The sufferings of Jesus in the period following the Last Supper and including the Crucifixion, as related in the New Testament.
Suffering
Being in pain or grief; having loss, injury, distress, etc.
Passion
A narrative, musical setting, or pictorial representation of Jesus's sufferings.
Suffering
A state of acute pain
Passion
Martyrdom
The passion of Saint Margaret.
Suffering
Misery resulting from affliction
Passion
A true desire sustained or prolonged.
Suffering
Feelings of mental or physical pain
Passion
Any great, strong, powerful emotion, especially romantic love or extreme hate.
We share a passion for books.
Suffering
Troubled by pain or loss;
Suffering refugees
Passion
Fervor, determination.
Suffering
Very unhappy; full of misery;
He felt depressed and miserable
A message of hope for suffering humanity
Wretched prisoners huddled in stinking cages
Passion
An object of passionate or romantic love or strong romantic interest.
It started as a hobby, but now my motorbike collection has become my passion.
Passion
The suffering of Jesus leading up to and during his crucifixion.
Passion
A display, musical composition, or play meant to commemorate the suffering of Jesus.
Passion
(obsolete) Suffering or enduring of imposed or inflicted pain; any suffering or distress.
A cardiac passion
Passion
(obsolete) The state of being acted upon; subjection to an external agent or influence; a passive condition
Passion
(obsolete) The capacity of being affected by external agents; susceptibility of impressions from external agents.
Passion
(obsolete) An innate attribute, property, or quality of a thing.
[...] to obtain the knowledge of some passion of the circle.
Passion
(obsolete) Disorder of the mind; madness.
Passion
(obsolete) To suffer pain or sorrow; to experience a passion; to be extremely agitated.
Passion
(transitive) To give a passionate character to.
Passion
The state of being acted upon; subjection to an external agent or influence; a passive condition; - opposed to action.
A body at rest affords us no idea of any active power to move, and, when set in motion, it is rather a passion than an action in it.
Passion
Capacity of being affected by external agents; susceptibility of impressions from external agents.
Moldable and not moldable, scissible and not scissible, and many other passions of matter.
Passion
The state of the mind when it is powerfully acted upon and influenced by something external to itself; the state of any particular faculty which, under such conditions, becomes extremely sensitive or uncontrollably excited; any emotion or sentiment (specifically, love or anger) in a state of abnormal or controlling activity; an extreme or inordinate desire; also, the capacity or susceptibility of being so affected; as, to be in a passion; the passions of love, hate, jealously, wrath, ambition, avarice, fear, etc.; a passion for war, or for drink; an orator should have passion as well as rhetorical skill.
We also are men of like passions with you.
The nature of the human mind can not be sufficiently understood, without considering the affections and passions, or those modifications or actions of the mind consequent upon the apprehension of certain objects or events in which the mind generally conceives good or evil.
The term passion, and its adverb passionately, often express a very strong predilection for any pursuit, or object of taste - a kind of enthusiastic fondness for anything.
The bravery of his grief did put meInto a towering passion.
The ruling passion, be it what it will,The ruling passion conquers reason still.
Who walked in every path of human life,Felt every passion.
When statesmen are ruled by faction and interest, they can have no passion for the glory of their country.
Passion
Disorder of the mind; madness.
Passion
Passion week. See Passion week, below.
Passion
To give a passionate character to.
Passion
To suffer pain or sorrow; to experience a passion; to be extremely agitated.
Passion
Strong feeling or emotion
Passion
Intense passion or emotion
Passion
Something that is desired intensely;
His rage for fame destroyed him
Passion
An irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action
Passion
Any object of warm affection or devotion;
The theater was her first love
He has a passion for cock fighting
Passion
The suffering of Jesus at the crucifixion
Common Curiosities
Can suffering lead to passion?
Yes, sometimes enduring hardships can fuel a passion for change, advocacy, or personal growth.
Is passion always positive?
Mostly, though passion can sometimes lead to negative outcomes if it becomes obsessive or detrimental to oneself or others.
What is the main difference between suffering and passion?
Suffering is the experience of pain or distress, while passion is an intense emotion of enthusiasm or desire.
How can suffering be alleviated?
Through support, therapy, medical treatment, and finding ways to cope or adjust one's circumstances.
Can passion change over time?
Yes, passions can evolve or wane as individuals grow and their circumstances, interests, and values change.
How do different philosophies interpret suffering?
Philosophies vary, with some seeing it as a test of character or a means to enlightenment, while others focus on its alleviation.
Can someone have a passion for something typically associated with suffering?
Yes, people can develop a passion for areas involving suffering, like medicine or social work, motivated by a desire to alleviate others' suffering.
How do cultures view suffering and passion differently?
Cultural attitudes vary, with some viewing suffering as a part of life to be endured and others as something to be actively mitigated; similarly, passion may be seen as either a positive driving force or a potentially disruptive one.
What role does passion play in career success?
Passion can drive motivation, enhance productivity, and lead to greater job satisfaction and achievements.
What psychological effects does suffering have?
It can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, but overcoming suffering can also lead to growth and resilience.
How can suffering impact relationships?
It can strain relationships or, conversely, deepen bonds through shared experiences and empathy.
What are the benefits of pursuing passions?
Benefits include increased happiness, a sense of purpose, and improved mental health.
Is there a biological basis for suffering or passion?
Both have biological underpinnings, with suffering often linked to physical or psychological pain pathways, and passion related to emotional centers in the brain.
What are practical steps to develop a passion?
Explore different interests, engage deeply with subjects that resonate, and connect with like-minded individuals or mentors.
Can passion be harmful?
If unchecked, passion can lead to obsession, burnout, or neglect of other important life aspects.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Picture vs. Photo
Next Comparison
Sweatshirt vs. HoodieAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited 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.
