Once on a train the police were bringing a guy they had arrested through the aisle when he broke free and started to run past us. I jumped up and grabbed him, gave him a huge beart hug from behind and he kind of grunted and didn't struggle. The police led him away.
Another time I stepped into the middle of a fight between a man and woman that was about to turn violent. I didn't speak Chinese yet so I just communicated through my actions and expressions, but made it clear to the man that if he tried to touch the woman I'd respond with violence. While I was staring him down, the woman came up and kicked him so I had to stare them both down. (Later my Chinese friend said the crowd was really praising my guts for getting involved and stopping the fight.)
With the thief in the bedroom, I really have no idea how I moved so fast with no time to think. It was sheer instinct, but glad to know that I can trust my instinct at times like those.
Amen. I've been involved in a few myself. I can't claim bravery, because I wasn't scared or even thinking. I just knew what was right, and I couldn't do anything else.
I attribute it to having a set of moral and ethical absolutes that we weigh the world against. When it's wrong, we are compelled to act.
I, for one, am grateful for men like you.
/john