Question
During training, my martial arts teacher told us, “The best defense is to flee.” But to me that looks like fear or indifference, not facing what happens in the present moment. How should I respond to that phrase? Should we face events or run away?
Anonymous
Master Kosen’s answer
He probably meant it is often better to avoid the causes of a fight even if we think we would win.
But sometimes it is also better to fight than accept an unhealthy, hypocritical peace and live in compromise.
Kosen