The strongest person can take a shot, needing not to return the favor.
That’s not fighting. That’s patient stamina. Some call it meekness, silent strength.
But, I’ve always taught my children, that when it is time to fight, don’t wait around on someone else to start it. When it’s time to fight (and there are those times), my children are taught to strike the first blow, swiftly, efficiently, and with enough force to end the conflict as soon as possible, while sending a message to all others who would entertain a similar fate. One good fight, for the right reasons, in a public display, will ensure that many other fights are avoided for the rest of their lives.
Similarly, fleeing for the wrong reasons will also bring many sad years of emptiness in the future. No one can live with themselves as coward. Not just from physical harm, but from the deceptive abuses of the mind as well.
Fight or Flight? They both have their places. Two tools in the toolbox. Make sure you use the right tool for every specific task at hand.