At what point is effective, serious retaliation justified?

[EdmondDantes_]

4. Those are two different questions

In my mind, the only time retaliation is justified is in the presence of an immediate threat, mostly of some physical violence. I can defend myself if there's a physical threat, but I can't go hit someone tomorrow because they hit me today (unless they hit me right before midnight).

But in general, I don't feel like there's ever a good reason to go against my morals or personal dignity just because someone else doesn't have good morals or dignity. Not worth harming myself actively.