"Alright, but just because you could doesn't mean you will or that the circumstances here will ever warrant that kinda shit, Malcolm." There's always a choice, in the end, but Negan chose the more gratifying of the two.

"Remember when you told me about the kid who locked you in a room in school? You said you intended to kill him, right? But then you didn't. You made a choice. And if it ever gets to the point you gotta crack a skull, you'll still have it in you to step aside, Malcolm because I'll be here. Hell, Raylan, Doc..." Guys who are used to getting their hands dirty.