Understanding the

difference between
sympathy and empathy
Sympathy and empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of
another.

Sympathy is similar and easy to confuse, but not half as useful,

because sympathy is the feeling of pity or sorrow for someone else.
Sympathy
Think of yourself by the side of a swimming
pool. There is someone in there, drowning.

If you were to show them sympathy, you would

involve yourself, telling them about a time when
you were also drowning. You make it about
yourself as an individual – and then you’re both
drowning and nobody is on poolside to help.
You express sympathy.
Empathy
If you were to share empathy, think of yourself
as throwing them a life-ring. You are
understanding their problem and accepting that
it is an issue for them, but not making the
situation about you. You stand outside of the
issue as a source of comfort