Pity and compassion

Pity is a very destructive emotion. Everything done out of pity eventually destroys both sides.

Compassion has nothing to do with pity. Despite the origin of the word: con-passion (felling together, felling for), it is only true when clear of emotional involvement. The latter knocks you off your peace of mind and bogs you down in the other person's misery. Compassion is an understanding of the other person's plight that, in its turn, triggers the will to help them. Empathy is this case would be detrimental.