When prema embraces humanity, we call it dhaya (compassion), the quality not of pity but of sympathy; sympathy which makes one happy when others are happy, and miserable when others are unhappy. (SSS Vol.1)

He who shouts and swears and advertises his worries to every one he meets and craves for sympathy, such a one can never be a bhaktha. (SSS Vol.1)

Practise the attitude of joy when others are joyful and of grief when others around you are grieved. Let your heart move in sympathy. But the joy and grief have to be translated into service; they should not be mere emotions. (SSS Vol.2)

The language of the heart is expressed through sympathy, kindness, service, love, brotherliness. That is the language that really matters; that language can be understood by every one; the language of anger, hatred, love, trust---it is patent and clear, though the speaker is dumb and the listener deaf! (SSS Vol.2)

Sai workers should identify themselves with the interests of the villagers and serve them with love and sympathy. This is the sadhana (spiritual effort) in which they should engage themselves. (SSS Vol.17)

What is Karuna (compassion)? Seeing a person in distress and expressing verbally sympathy is not compassion. Compassion must express itself in action to relieve the suffering. Nor should you adopt an attitude of aloofness or indifference on the plea that each one is suffering for his own folly. Though suffering may be due to one s mistakes--mistakes to which everyone is prone---we should seek to remedy such suffering just as we try to get rid of our own suffering.

Some people try to show off their sympathy by setting up charitable institutions like hospitals, etc. True compassion should emanate from the heart. It should not find expression in outward manifestations which only reveal one s vanity. In the Sathya Sai Organisations there is no place for such demonstrations of vanity. Everything that is done to help the poor or the suffering should be based on the feelings coming from the heart and appealing to the hearts of those who are helped. (SSS Vol.17)