A Quaker farmer was having a hard time with his mule. No matter what he tried the mule would not get up. He told the mule I am a Quaker and you know I cannot hit you and I cannot curse you. However, I can sell you to my neighbor and he is not a Quaker and can beat the living daylights out of you.
We have all felt like that Quaker at times. We are aware of ways we cannot or should not respond to opposition. What we want is a permissible way to whip it.