"Ahimsa," described as the highest ethical duty by the Mahabharata, and so often translated as "nonviolence" would be more correctly translated for the Western mind by "non-harmfulness." It does not necessarily mean that its practiser must abjure the use of physical violence when defending himself against aggression.

-- Notebooks Category 6: Emotions and Ethics > Chapter 7: Miscellaneous Ethical Issues > # 22