if arnor.knows(a_hole, stole_wallet) and (a_hole not instanceof psychopath or a_hole.physical_strength < arnor.physical_strength)
arnor.confront(a_hole)
if not arnor.has_wallet
arnor.punch_in_face(a_hole)
// When violence enters the picture, things get ugly.
goto tattle
else
[lbl] tattle
arnor.tattle_on(a_hole)
Cute, but when you're confronting someone, the situation can always turn violent. Let's say that you confront someone and end up punching him/her in the mouth and get a cut on your hand. You could get a serious infection or a disease, even though you "won."
Really? You don't confront a colleague about not doing what he promised, but you go to your boss, because it could turn violent? You don't confront your neighbour about the noisy party, but you call the landlord, because it could turn violent? You don't confront your teammate about not giving enough passes, but you complain to your coach, because it could turn violent?
You are showing quite a lack of imagination in applying the maxim you complain about in your top-level post.
Kidding aside, I would be extremely unlikely to resort to a violent act in the case of a stolen wallet. If a_hole won't give it back, it's really not that big of a deal. Reprint photos of wife and kids, Visit ATM, Cancel some credit cards, register a hold with a credit bureau, and move on with your life.
That doesn't make you a caveman, it just means that we have a very different perspective on what winning and losing is. People who resort to petty theft have their own set of problems. They are rarely winners in any way that I would envy them. There is a point to be made in the fact that letting someone get away with theft sets a precedent that it is tolerated. That is certainly wrong and a clear hole in my outlook which I have yet to resolve.
