for pity is aroused by unmerited misfortune, fear by the misfortune of a man like ourselves.
 Aristotle, Poetics (c. 335 BC). copy citation

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Author Aristotle
Source Poetics
Topic fear pity
Date c. 335 BC
Language English
Reference
Note Translated by S. H. Butcher
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1974/1974-h/1974-h.htm

Context

“it neither satisfies the moral sense nor calls forth pity or fear. Nor, again, should the downfall of the utter villain be exhibited. A plot of this kind would, doubtless, satisfy the moral sense, but it would inspire neither pity nor fear; for pity is aroused by unmerited misfortune, fear by the misfortune of a man like ourselves. Such an event, therefore, will be neither pitiful nor terrible. There remains, then, the character between these two extremes,—that of a man who is not eminently good and just,-yet whose misfortune is brought about not by vice or depravity, but by some error or frailty.” source