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Compassion vs. Passion — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 9, 2023
Compassion is a sympathetic pity for the suffering of others; Passion is an intense desire or enthusiasm for something.
Compassion vs. Passion — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Compassion and Passion

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Key Differences

Compassion is a feeling of deep empathy and sorrow for another who is experiencing pain or hardship, often leading to a desire to alleviate their suffering. Passion, on the other hand, is a powerful emotion, such as love or anger, often driving one towards a particular goal or desire. Both Compassion and Passion are intense feelings, but while Compassion leads us to want to help and connect with others in their distress, Passion drives us towards personal ambitions or interests.
Compassion involves a deep sense of understanding and a willingness to offer comfort and help to those in need. Passion, in contrast, is more about personal drive and the fire that fuels our deepest desires and pursuits. Both Compassion and Passion can inspire action, but their motivations are distinct; Compassion springs from empathy and altruism, while Passion arises from personal interest and zeal.
Compassion is about connecting with others, especially in moments of pain or vulnerability. It prompts individuals to extend kindness and support. Passion, conversely, is an inward feeling, and while it can be shared, it primarily focuses on the individual’s own desires or interests. Both Compassion and Passion are powerful motivators but direct our energies in different directions; Compassion outwardly towards others and Passion inwardly towards personal goals.
Compassion tends to be selfless and often arises from witnessing the pain or suffering of others, leading to a desire to help. Passion is generally perceived as a self-centered emotion, guiding individuals to chase their dreams, desires, or interests. Although Compassion and Passion may seem quite different at a glance, they are both deeply human emotions that play significant roles in shaping our behaviors, relationships, and experiences.

Comparison Chart

Nature

Emotion focused on others
Emotion focused on oneself
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Origin

Arises from empathy for others' suffering
Arises from personal desires or interests

Motivation

Desire to alleviate others' pain or distress
Drive towards personal ambitions or pursuits

Relationship

Connects with others in moments of pain
Primarily focuses on individual’s own desires

Selflessness vs. Self-centered

Often seen as selfless
Often seen as self-centered

Compare with Definitions

Compassion

Compassion is feeling sorrow for the misfortunes of others.
The community's compassion was palpable after the tragedy.

Passion

Passion is an intense enthusiasm or desire for something.
His passion for music led him to become a renowned pianist.

Compassion

Compassion is understanding and caring when others are suffering.
She showed great compassion when she volunteered at the homeless shelter.

Passion

Passion is a strong and barely controllable emotion.
She argued with a passion, defending her beliefs.

Compassion

Compassion is the desire to help those in pain or suffering.
Her compassion drove her to fundraise for disaster relief.

Passion

Passion is the driving force behind ambition and achievement.
His passion for environmental causes spurred him to action.

Compassion

Compassion is a deep empathy towards others in distress.
His compassion was evident when he helped the injured bird.

Passion

Passion is the fervor that ignites the soul.
Dancing was not just a hobby; it was her passion.

Compassion

Compassion is extending kindness to those in need.
His act of buying a meal for the hungry child was a gesture of pure compassion.

Passion

Strong and barely controllable emotion
A man of impetuous passion

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.

Passion

The suffering and death of Jesus
Meditations on the Passion of Christ

Compassion

Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others
The victims should be treated with compassion

Passion

Strong or powerful emotion
A crime of passion.

Compassion

Deep awareness of the suffering of another accompanied by the wish to relieve it.

Passion

A powerful emotion, such as anger or joy
A spirit governed by intense passions.

Compassion

Deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it.

Passion

A state of strong sexual desire or love
"His desire flared into a passion he could no longer check" (Barbara Taylor Bradford).

Compassion

(obsolete) To pity.

Passion

The object of such desire or love
She became his passion.

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.

Passion

Boundless enthusiasm
His skills as a player don't quite match his passion for the game.

Compassion

To pity.

Passion

The object of such enthusiasm
Soccer is her passion.

Compassion

A deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering

Passion

An abandoned display of emotion, especially of anger
He's been known to fly into a passion without warning.

Compassion

The humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it

Passion

The sufferings of Jesus in the period following the Last Supper and including the Crucifixion, as related in the New Testament.

Passion

A narrative, musical setting, or pictorial representation of Jesus's sufferings.

Passion

Martyrdom
The passion of Saint Margaret.

Passion

A true desire sustained or prolonged.

Passion

Any great, strong, powerful emotion, especially romantic love or extreme hate.
We share a passion for books.

Passion

Fervor, determination.

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

Sexual intercourse, especially when very emotional.
We shared a night of 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

A suffering or enduring of imposed or inflicted pain; any suffering or distress (as, a cardiac passion); specifically, the suffering of Christ between the time of the last supper and his death, esp. in the garden upon the cross.
To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs.

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

A feeling of strong sexual desire

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

Passion

Passion is a fervent interest in a particular subject or activity.
The artist painted with a passion, putting emotion into every stroke.

Common Curiosities

Can compassion lead to action?

Yes, compassion often leads to actions that aim to help or support those in distress.

How does compassion relate to empathy?

Compassion arises from empathy, which is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

What is the primary focus of compassion?

Compassion is primarily focused on understanding and alleviating the suffering of others.

Are people born with certain passions, or are they developed over time?

While some inclinations may be innate, most passions are cultivated and developed over time based on experiences and exposures.

Is passion always a positive emotion?

Not always. While passion can drive positive pursuits, it can also manifest in negative ways if not channeled properly.

Can passions be short-lived?

Yes, passions can be fleeting, but they can also be long-lasting, depending on the individual and the subject of their passion.

What are some common synonyms for passion?

Zeal, fervor, ardor, and enthusiasm are some common synonyms.

Is compassion limited to human beings?

No, animals can also display compassionate behaviors, suggesting it's a universal emotion.

What drives passion?

Passion is driven by an intense enthusiasm or desire for something.

Is it possible for someone to feel both compassion and passion simultaneously?

Absolutely. One can feel compassion for others while also being passionate about a cause or activity.

How can one cultivate more compassion in daily life?

By practicing empathy, mindfulness, and active listening, and by seeking to understand others' experiences and emotions.

Can one be passionate about multiple things simultaneously?

Absolutely. It's possible to have multiple passions in various areas of life.

Are there any drawbacks to having too much compassion?

Excessive compassion can lead to emotional fatigue or burnout, especially if one neglects self-care.

How does compassion affect relationships?

Compassion can strengthen relationships by fostering understanding, patience, and support between individuals.

Can passions change over time?

Yes, as individuals grow and evolve, their passions can shift and change.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba 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.

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