From my own experience I have been able to distinguish between the two emotions. Prior to the past few years I had attended several funerals of my friends' parents. I felt sorry for my friends' loss but I can honestly state that I had no concept of the depth of their loss. I expressed my sympathies but it was hard for me to identify with their loss. Once, however, I had personally suffered the loss of my own parents I felt much differently at subsequent funerals. I now knew the full range of emotions involved in the loss of one's parents and was able to not only feel sympathy but also empathy.

Empathy is the more valuable and more easily applied emotion. Actually being able to feel how someone else is feeling allows one to have a clearer view of the available options and how to deal with such person. Sympathy, on the other hand, should be applied based on the circumstances. Often time individuals...

A truly empathetic person is attuned to these situations and acts accordingly.
Although sympathy and empathy are often used interchangeably there is a clear distinction between the two. In most cases, it is possible to be both sympathetic and empathetic but it is also possible to experience one without the other. The feeling of empathy is much harder to develop but demonstrates a more active engagement in the situation. Sympathy, on the other hand, is more easily expressed but demands less understanding of the situation or person. Being capable of properly determining which emotion to express is a valuable ability and one that one should attempt to develop. In essence, empathy is always appropriate while sympathy should be reserved for moments when it is appropriate.

Interpersonal Communication