In this case, it's not about bravery, but about the degree to which Mr Smith is mentally impaired. If, as seems increasingly likely, his actions were part of a larger mental illness, then yes, very possibly (though The Rock himself does not seem like the kind of person who would mock someones' sick wife for the sake of a cheap laugh). Mr Smith is not a physically intimidating specimen, never has been, and his actions were out of character.

Chris Rock, on the other hand, was relying on the general perception that a violent response to provocation is unthinkable. He was using other peoples' belief in their own moral superiority to save him from the consequences of his own bad behaviour. "I can say what I want to and about who I want and nothing's going to happen!" Nine times out of tne, he'd have been right, but this turned out to be the tenth time. Or do you honestly bthink he'd have said cwhat he said if he thought for a minute that there might be retaliation?

Putin is just the same. He's relying on NATO's reluctance to take direct action against Russia to get away with annexing Ukraine. Once he's proved we won't do anything, the Chinese will invade Taiwan, then Japan and eventually the entire Pacific Rim while Russia gobbles up Eastern Europe. All safe in the knowledge that the Defenders of the Free World will defend jack shit!

In any conflict, the side which eschews violence is going to lose.