Cruelty vs Compassion - What's the difference?
cruelty | compassion |
(uncountable) an indifference to suffering or positive pleasure in inflicting suffering.
(countable) a cruel act
Deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it
* 1849 , Robert Leighton (Archbishop of Glasgow), A practical commentary upon the first Epistle of St. Peter (page 47)
(obsolete) To pity.
* 1607 , , IV. i. 124:
As nouns the difference between cruelty and compassion
is that cruelty is (uncountable) an indifference to suffering or positive pleasure in inflicting suffering while compassion is deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it.As a verb compassion is
(obsolete) to pity.cruelty
English
Alternative forms
* cruellty (obsolete) * cruelltie (obsolete)Noun
Anagrams
* cutlerycompassion
English
Noun
- Oh! the unspeakable privilege to have Him for our Father, who is the Father of mercies and compassions , and those not barren, fruitless pityings, for He is withal the God of all consolations.
Synonyms
* empathy, pity, ruth, tenderheartedness, sorrow * kindness, heart, mercyDerived terms
* compassionate * compassion fatigueVerb
(en verb)- O heavens, can you hear a good man groan / And not relent, or not compassion him?