Resistance Is Futile?

 "That which is resisted, persists"

I don't know the source of this nuggety little saying or if it's true, but I've been turning it over in my mind.

It's true of water. Water will just flow and flow until it meets some kind of obstacle and then it forms puddles, pools, lakes, rapids, whirlpools.

Water resisted persists. It also creates drama.

But how about in human affairs?

What happens if an aggressor or bully is unresisted? If an idea is allowed to run its course without opposition?

I don't know. I'm not sure it's ever been tried...