The first foundation, the means specific for character improvement, is compassion. The trait of compassion was implanted in a man from the beginning of his creation, and it is the root of his love, his lovingkindness, and his uprightness. It is that alone which leads us to the doing of good not in order to receive reward, neither naturally or unnaturally, neither in this world or in the world to come. For the trait of compassion is reward in itself. For the compassionate one suffers in the suffering of his friend and is not at peace until his friend's break is bound and his wound is healed.