Sadly, often sheds tears from deep sympathy (15)

I believe the answer is:

softheartedness

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'deep sympathy' is the definition.
'softheartedness' can be an answer for 'sympathy' (softheartedness is a kind of sympathy). I'm not sure about the 'deep' bit.

'sadly often sheds tears' is the wordplay.
'sadly' indicates anagramming the letters.
'often'+'sheds'+'tears'='oftenshedstears'
'oftenshedstears' with letters rearranged gives 'SOFTHEARTEDNESS'.

'from' acts as a link.

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I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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