"True compassion means not only feeling another's pain but also being moved to help relieve it". - Daniel Goleman

Daniel Goleman who was a pioneer researcher on Emotional Intelligence considers compassion as an indicator for higher level of emotional intelligence.

Compassion is closely related to empathy and sympathy but it is a step above empathy, as it is an active desire to help someone in need.

Compassion is best described by examples. If we see a homeless person lying on the road and we as bystander do something to help the man to find a shelter home while emphatising with him would be an act of compassion.

Mother Teresa had compassion for the patients of leprosy because of which she personally helped fight the leprosy by creating a Leprosy Fund as well as an active involvement with the community.

In the context of state and public administration compassion plays an important role for securing a dignified life for vulnerable section of the society. Bureaucrats filled with compassionate values will actively target the poor to help alleviate their poverty.