Compassion involves “feeling for another” and is a precursor to empathy, the “feeling as another” capacity (as opposed to sympathy, the “feeling towards another”). The desire to alleviate another’s suffering.

Compassion involves allowing ourselves to be moved by suffering and experiencing the motivation to help alleviate and prevent it. An act of compassion is defined by its helpfulness. Qualities of compassion are patience and wisdom; kindness and perseverance; warmth and resolve.