turning-the-other-cheek-refuses-both-retaliation-and-submission

A backhand to the right cheek was a gesture of dominance. To turn the other cheek is not to submit but to hold your ground and face the striker again, so a second blow can only be delivered between equals. It neither retaliates nor submits; it breaks the cycle by refusing both. Rests on: [[redemptive-violence-feels-right-but-still-needs-enemies]]