if violence is so wrong, then why is it acceptable to provoke it?

Its not acceptable to provoke it, and I do not sympathize for people who are victims of violent crimes which they caused by harassing someone. It's still not right to strike back when they aggravate you, you just have to ignore them and not give a reaction, because that is what they are trying to do, just get you PO'd.

It's not acceptable to provoke it, not that I've ever seen.

As a buddhist, I go to great lengths to avoid violence. Occassionally some take that as a challege to try and push me to violence. Usually I find that most people look at these morons and recognize them for the idiots that they are. They respect MY diecision to be non-violent and are disgusted by the morons attempts to provoke me.

Ignore the doucebags, walk away. You'll look better for it and he'll just look dumb.

However, if he actually attacks you, defend yourself, but only enough to stop the attack. That protects you morally and legally.

It is not acceptable and if there is a cop or a higher authority figure around, they will tell the people aka "douce-bags" who try to piss you off stop.

Violence should be the last resort aka the VERY last resort, if you are attacked by thugs or criminals then you should resort to violence. Do not let words penetrate through you unless they are really extreme (if they are insulting your mom or your girlfriend).

Its not necessarily acceptable to provoke it. Maybe by man, but not by God. If your a Christian, the main thing that you need to be worried about is ministering to other people, through actions more so than words. It's not at all easy to turn the other cheak like Jesus says to do when someone hits you, but its very worth it. Our number 1 priority is to love other people. By letting them hurt us whether physically or verbally, we are showing them that what we have (eternal life through Jesus Christ) is more important than our life on this earth. Thats probably the main thing that brings people to Christ, when we as Christians take the opposite approach towards what life throws at us than what the rest of the world does. When someone hurts you and you forgive them immediatley and react in love and not in hate, they have to wonder "What in the world does he or she have that I dont?" or "How can you live so peacefully and joyfully with whats going on right now?"....just know that our main purpose of suffering is for the comfort and salvation of other people. the literal definition of love is to "suffer long". read 2Corinthians1:3-11.

People who do that just want reactions. They want you to do something.

Just ignore them, and they won't get what they want. If you try to hit them, you're just encouraging them.

And people who provoke violence aren't moral, and obviously do not know the pain and suffering that violence can bring.

I myself do not think that ALL violence is wrong, but PROVOKING violence is just annoying and stupid, and doesn't solve much.

Yeah, really.

How about pulling their shirt over their head and pushing them down the hill instead of hitting them. It's just as embarrassing for them, works just as well, they lose just the same, and you conquer them just as much. You could also push them away. Violently. Just remember that once they take the first hit, you're in the clear and it's go time!

Your avatar portrays you as a anger person, are you? It is no wonder people come after you. Provoking violence is not acceptable.

To me, violence is acceptable, but only wen properly provoked. Wen a chick pisses me off, I run my mouth til she either cries or hits me first. Then, I can beat her *** and it is self-defense. I may spend the night in jail, but she is going to get the assult charge :D

Then hit them for it. If the only way for both of you to realize that unnecessary violence is wrong is for both of you to get a broken nose, well, it's your choice.

You can choose to learn either by experience or by precept.

(In painful matters, I personally prefer to learn by precept.)

It isn't... It is OK to DEFEND yourself if someone tries to hit you but giving the provoker the reaction that they are LOOKING FOR only makes YOU the dumbass...

WHY do you let people MANIPULATE you like that?

YOU KNOW THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO GET YOU TO HIT THEM FIRST SO THEY CAN "Defend Themselves" so you are playing right into their hands when you give them such power over you.