There are times when you need to defend yourself, physically and mentally, and there are times you want to do harm.

When is it appropriate to defend yourself?

When is it appropriate to do harm?


You can check what I think before or after you post your own opinion. However I think it's best to do it after so I don't alter yours in any way beforehand.

Spoiler:

Verbal abuse can be really harsh, but I believe striking out with words or fists is a fool's move. Walk away. It requires a strong amount of discipline but if you can, you're better for it. However, if a fist is thrown at you, that's a whole other story since you're now being threatened for real. Fight back, I think, is appropriate then, and only to disable the threat from doing further harm to you. I'll get to the point. Your love of your life, a dear friend, or someone you care about has been hurt or killed. I find it difficult to follow my own pacifist belief here but I'll stand by it. If you seek to harm the person who hurt someone you cared about, you're no better than the person you're getting revenge on. The people you care about wouldn't want you to damn yourself for them, and it wouldn't be right to go against the dead's final wish.

If someone throws a fist at me, I won't hold back. I may suck at defense, but I do know how to handle any item to my advantage (no, not just a purse). If they are just plain bullying me, I typically ignore. Say what you will about me, but if you insult my family or my friends, be prepared for a tongue-lashing.

Violence (except in video games) is not my thing. I'll avoid it as much as possible. I think using your fists to solve a problem is stupid and immature, not to mention it shows how weak you are because you can't control yourself. Now, there are exceptions, like if someone close to you is greatly harmed or being put down/bullied.

Here's something I think about too. The pen is mightier than the sword, therefore a word is a more powerful weapon than your fists.

Never intentionally do harm to another person. It will bite you in the long run.

Defend yourself mentally around those you are unfamiliar with and get odd vibes from.

Defend yourself physically when life is on the line. The better man is a man who can take a punch than rely on throwing one.

*reads everyone's answers*

@Ori: ^_^ (Does this relate to something that happened recently? I just heard some news from my sis, but not my place to talk)

@Sky: That is very true, on the pen is mightier than the sword. Haven't heard that phrase lately :3 But agreed on anything.

I don't really know how to answer this... I have been known to be like a coin, two sides and vastly different depending on the mindset.


"Heads": Calm, cool, collected... pacifist who can talk people down or even manipulate their feelings without ever raising a fist or batting an eye.


"Tails": Violent, aggressive, unbreakable... "the hulk" that comes out when I am threatened or enraged. I won't quit until the person is not getting back up

@Ori: I had an odd feeling. (Heard it from my sis while I was typing my reply on this post, just in case you were wondering) All I can say is this quote. "We learn at first, and then we understand with time." Any morals that are learned will hopefully be understood with time. Hope this helps.

@Blood: I definitely find that concept true. o.o Everyone is actually like that in a manner, only some people are more towards one side than the other

it also depends on the situation... I'm more "heads" when the conflict is with family, "Tails" when the conflict is about family or myself, and unpredictable when it involves a hobby or is just and outsider's fight

I pretty much agree with you guys on all of this. I myself, in real life, look like i could be a freaking beast (i've got the build to have some decent brawn), but i'm mostly bark. There is one incident in an 8th grade P.E class where i actually challenged another dude to a fight. I was really worked into a rage and probably would've whooped that dude's ass, but i decided that if i was late getting home my would be pissed...

That was the only ever time that i had ever been close to letting loose, now it's mostly just scowl and stare at the person who has pissed me off

@Sky "Tounge-Lashing"? *arches eyebrow* Heh

How to solve violence.



Aspirin!

@Hutch: I blame my weird vocabulary on... Crap, I got no one to blame it on!

There's nearly always a fight at my school. I've only seen one in my entire high school though, sophomore year on my way to lunch. Makes me wonder why so many people just stare there and watch when a teacher is just a few steps and a door away (seriously, it was outside the back door of our school where all the English classes are).

I myself have never been in a fight. Arguments? Yes. Full out brawls? No.

@Felix: Why is it always Invader Zim that shows up?

Fights at me school? Definitely...

Why in the world is everything I stand against lives right in the same house!?

@Ori: The world loves to test people, and you happen to have a more noticeable test than others?

@Sky: Invader Zim brings a smile to everyone's face, and I felt I should try to lighten up the mood a little. But for the most part, Invader Zim just has too many good quotes/scenes in it, so I tend to pick out of that bunch versus other funny moments. :3 (That, and it's a classic! First random show to not bite! ) Omg, you reminded me of Billy and Mandy now.

Verbal insults can make someone explode you know. :C



And even further, I remembered another extremly random show!

Fighting is a horrible thing. Bojiggler knows that especially well.



My heart died at the 2nd question. :'D

i miss Billy and Mandy...one of the most random, and hilarious shows ever created

It's obviously Invader Zim. :C Then Billy and Mandy are the 2nd most random show to be hilarious After that is Bobobo-bo-bobobo for me, the only thing remotely bad about it is how the pink-haired girl has to comment on something every single minute of the show >_>

Back on topic. I agree it's acceptable to get aggressive when a sword is pointed towards the ones you care, but not when it's wind blowing at them. Wouldn't self control benefit you and the ones you care about the most?

Also, you have to consider whether or not it's okay to interfere with a loved one's personal demons. Sticking up for them may not be the right choice in the long run.