# The Difference Between Empathy and Sympathy
- Author: **rjr**
- Document Tags: [[empathy]], [[Empathy]], [[sympathy]], [[Sympathy]]
- [URL link](https://www.psychmc.com/blogs/empathy-vs-sympathy)
## Highlights
- defines sympathy as “the feeling that you care about and are sorry about someone else’s trouble, grief, misfortune, etc.”
([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hasjkc6pgyveysg8bqq51n7n))
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- defined as “the feeling that you understand and share another person’s experiences and emotions” or “the ability to share someone else’s feelings.”
([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hasjt4ypcdgtbg3fhnhavz7e))
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- Empathy is not about how to fix another person but about listening to another person’s pain and sharing their difficult thoughts and feelings
([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hasjy2gphpehs506w771agqm))
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- When you express empathy to them, it lessens their feelings of being misunderstood and judged.
- Note: my empathy is likely what helped during those high school moments
([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hasjyjgt6hs9ghkm3jg9s3rs))
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- The Differences Between Empathy and Sympathy
([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hask3k7bqmbpq342vq6qzzcj))
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- shown in how much compassion and understanding we can give to another
([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hask5jafz2hgx8rvzgh0c247))
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- more of a feeling of pity for another
([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hask66p8cmjxbgcawbjny384))
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- When we relate with empathy, we give the other person space to own their emotions and feelings. We reflect on what they are feeling and provide a safe space for all emotions, even negative ones. When we relate with sympathy, we move into problem-solving mode. We have ideas and judgments about how the person feels and what they should do.
([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hask9t58cdz6sh0081xqth8e))
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- some tips for showing empathy
([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hb6qp1x07agxva8h8qty53f2))
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