Question

I cannot but feel compassion when I hear some trig, compact-looking man, seemingly free, all girded and ready, speak of his "furniture," as whether it is insured or not. Choose the best meaning of compassion. A) amazement B) anger C) curiosity D) pity

Answer 1

The best meaning of compassion is: D) pity.

Compassion means having empathy or worrying about somebody else's issues. The excerpt we're analyzing is a quote by Henry David Thoreau. He seems to be criticizing the ordinary men for having petty concerns. This quote was taken from the essay Walden and Civil Disobedience, written by Thoreau to express his disgust for people who allow governments to rule their minds and conscience.