We live in a period of massive exposure to information of all sorts and types. While information is important in an effort to evaluate the circumstances confronting us on a personal and world wide basis, the manipulation of information has led to the twisting or at least obfuscation of the true measure of powerful words. Put simply, sound bites seem to be the rule of the day with deeper thoughts on subjects lost to the wind.

The concept of justice is one such area where sound bites have run amuck. Just what is justice? Is it revenge, a calling to terms, pure responsibility for one's actions or what? As a strict definition, various dictionaries note that justice is the quality of being fair or just. More so, it is noted as the act of being fair and moral in judging all people. Somehow, such a definition seems just a bit bland and vague.

In this day and age, it often helps to look back to famous and, occasionally, infamous historical figures and their thoughts on the meaning. In fact, let us take a look:

1. True peace is not merely the absence of tension, it is the presence of Justice.

- Martin Luther King

2. If you want peace, you must work for justice.

- Pope Paul VI

3. It is essential that justice be done, and it is equally vital that justice not be confused with revenge, for the two are wholly different.

- Oscar Aria

4. Military justice is to justice what military music is to music.

- Groucho Marx

5. Insanity in individuals is something rare - but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule.

- Friedrich Nietzsche

6. Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.

- Mahatma Gandhi

When considering the notion of justice, it tends to fall into the cloudy area of I know it when I see it. What is justice? Well, you will just have to decide for yourself. What it definitely is not, however, is a three or four word sound bite.