456. As the ability to have compassion in this way is actually based on memory-images of former experiences, it is obvious that it cannot be perfect in the first stage of its creation. A being – that is to say, terrestrial man – in whom this ability is just starting to develop, therefore also has very inconsistent capacities for compassion. Such an individual may feel almost overpowering pity in some areas of suffering, whilst in others he can display a barbaric, animal-like callousness or mental coldness. But that is actually quite natural. For the first areas consist of just those situations where the being has plenty of similar experiences behind him and therefore has the corresponding memory-material with which to build up the necessary "imaginary pictures" which form the basis for a compassionate reaction. However, the second area consists of situations where the being has no corresponding previous experiences behind him. Therefore he must inevitably be devoid of any memory-material with which to build up the "imaginary pictures" or the concepts which form the basis for a compassionate reaction. Consequently, such a reaction must fail to occur.