You are safer without a knife

[Goofball]

The reason I ask is because in my experience people usually have a stake in a conflictuous situation and feel that they can't afford to run. What have the sensei's of the world to say about that?

There are only two possible reasons not to run:

1) You are absolutely certain the other person can outrun you, so you are better off not turning your back on him and you might as well try your luck fighting

2) You are with somebody else who won't be able to get away, so by running you would be abandoning them to certain death

Anything else is nothing but pride.