which way to the gun show?

What is true strength? Even dictionary.com has over 8 definitions to define just what strength means in today's world. It varies from power by influence or authority, to mental toughness and vigor. My question has little to do with the physical aspect and everything to do with strength of character. In terms of life and love, are you strong if you hold onto something or is it the letting go that makes you strong? In a relationship, friendship or otherwise- does it take a truly strong person to stay by your side, or is it rather that they cannot summon the courage to get out of a bad situation? If you can manage to walk away from someone who is hurting you is that strength or are you just fleeing the crime scene? It seems that the determination of strength is largely based on circumstance and ultimately, the outcome. That hardly seems right. Shouldn't there be some sort of pre-determined measure that says "yes, high on strength" or "sorry you fail the strength test." Asking for such a thing is childish of course, life rarely deals in black and white. Instead muddled shades of gray seem to rule an otherwise colorful world. So maybe it isn't the staying or the leaving. Maybe it isn't the action at all that makes someone "strong." Perhaps instead the strength comes from understanding when you should stay and when its time to hit the road.