This chapter made me reflect a lot on when it becomes a negative thing to feel pity for someone instead of just empathy/compassion. Many people get angry at the thought that someone views them with pity. Hell, I know it's bothered me before. Yet is there really something implicit in the concept of pity that is offensive? Maybe it implies that you aren't respecting how the object of your pity is trying their best despite the unfortunate and "pitiable" circumstance that elicits your empathy in the first place?
I would also disagree with the notion that feeling pity for someone means one dismisses the person or thinks themselves superior in some fundamental way. At least that's not the connotation of the feeling for me. But then, why have I ever worried about being pitied by others in the past? Damn what an interesting little word.