My understanding is that “right action” is ultimately the way we deter violence before it happens. The smile that changes a stranger’s day changes the world. The butterfly effect if you like. So we do our best to walk, speak, think, and act “peacefully”. This is all we can do. But does this mean we should allow ourselves to be physically abused without defending ourselves? I don’t think so. I don’t see the point in that at all. Of course, defending ones self and retaliation after the fact are entirely different things.