Table 1.

Difference between empathy and compassion

Aspects	Empathy	Compassion
Focus	Knowing how to listen to what someone is feeling, what they are going through and what they think.	The ability to empathise with someone’s pain or suffering and to genuinely want to help them and make them feel better.
Response type	The mode of action is primarily cognitive and emotional.	A combination of emotional and motivational elements, often resulting in action.
Emotional tone	Can sometimes be emotionally exhausting, as it may involve sharing in another’s pain or suffering.	Evoke positive feelings such as kindness, care and meaning.
Outcome	Focuses on understanding and empathising with another person’s feelings without necessarily taking any action.	More likely to result in positive behaviour and kind actions.
Feeling	Can sometimes cause withdrawal behaviours.	Can evoke positive emotions