[F.J. Mitchell]

Well, it means something like this: If you have the means of defending yourself but choose instead to take a beating so the neighbors won't call you a bully-you might as well be helpless.

[Jo Nuvark]

[...If you have the means of defending yourself but choose instead to take a beating so the neighbors won't call you a bully-you might as well be helpless...]

Now I get it. And I agree.

Jo