This teaching can be read in two different ways.
First, your response should be appropriate to the attitude of your attacker. If you think that you can de-escalate the situation, then do so.
If it is an all out attack on you, you should respond accordingly. Your opponent's attitude will alert you to the appropriate response.
The second way to look at this teaching is that your response will follow YOUR attitude. This means that you should maintain the proper attitude in order to be able to respond in the right manner.
For example, if you are so angry that you can't think straight, and someone crosses you, your response may be more severe than it should be. Because of this fact, it is important to maintain the correct attitude daily and not allow your emotions to run a muck.
I think that both of these are important considerations for us. You must maintain the right attitude, and at the same time, you must be ready and able to respond to whatever the situation requires of you, with a balanced, rational mind.
And, it is important to respond, not react. When you respond, you are in control; when you react, you have allowed the other person to dictate your actions.
ps.smoh
