...I do not believe I possess enough wisdom or knowledge to pursue justice and I never demonstrate mercy, and so I refrain from such pursuits.

By observation, I have noted that indeed there already is a form of justice at work throughout the universe and that it appears consistently without me passing judgment. I see it in the ants as they feed on the carcass of a bird that fed on them, in life, and in the desert flowers being compensated for their harsher life with just a little extra beauty and color.

I see it also in the chain of events we call history. I see 'bad' things happen to people who have done 'bad' things and vice-versa. I watch as Alexander 'the great' gets taken out by the tiniest of bugs, while his empire spans most of the known world. I see Achilles struck in the heel, in his prime, after having cut down so many in their prime. I watch as Rome gets its comeuppance after its troops have conquered many peoples in many lands. I wonder at the fall of the Soviet empire without a single bomber being flown in, or DEW line being broken, all from within as the people who suffered most underfoot of the empire, crush it under theirs.

No, I know many things - but one of these things I have learned is that I am not nearly wise enough to seek justice for the peoples of the world and would have absolutely no idea of what constitutes mercy. Indeed, mercy is a word I do not quite comprehend at all.

It has been said it is merciful to spare a life. Yet, if I do not attempt to take it, how can I ever show such mercy? Mercy, I have been told, is to refrain from cruel and unusual punishments when seeking justice. Yet, if I do not punish others, again I am at a loss to demonstrate such mercy. Sometimes I hear mercy used with the act of giving. It is merciful to give to the poor and the crippled.

Again the mercy part eludes me, because the truth is I enjoy giving to others and I do not view such as a sacrifice, but as a reward.

Sadly, I guess, merciful will never be used to describe me. Mercy, for me, always is elusive and unobtainable and I suspect it would be for others too if they lived as I do.

Likewise, I will never be described as an instrument of justice. Justice will have to do all the work herself without any assistance from me.

I have seen ms. Justice at work. Her first name is Infinite and, as far as I can discern, she never makes a mistake. She doesn't need my help at all. I'd just muck things up trying to assist.