"Pity may represent little more than the impersonal concern which prompts the mailing of a check, but true sympathy is the personal concern which demands the giving of one's soul"

This quote by Martin Luther King Jr. speaks to the difference in between pity and sympathy. Pity is an impersonal feeling, frequently revealed through a material gesture such as sending out a check. It is a sensation of sadness for another person's misfortune, but it does not require any individual financial investment. On the other hand, real compassion is a much deeper emotion that requires a personal investment. It is a sensation of sadness for another person's misfortune, however it likewise requires a person to give of themselves. It is a sensation of empathy and understanding that requires a person to put aside their own needs and wants in order to truly feel sorry for another individual. True compassion is a powerful feeling that can bring people together and assist them to understand each other on a deeper level.