You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. 

Coined in the movie "The Dark Knight Rises" by Harvey Dent, A.k.a. Two-Face.

It is the philisophical summary that, no matter what good you intend to do, as long as you live and continue, you will bring about just as much evil as good, if not more through accident or intent. Death becomes a saving grace, providing vindication for their actions and preventing a worsening of certain outcomes through inactivity.

Examples include:
Falling to the same corrupton you sought to eliminate. ( Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars, Lois Griffin from Family Guy)
Prolonged exposure to evil, despite good intentions. (Frodo from Lord of the Rings, Ice King from Adventure Time)
Narrow minded destruction in belief of a greater goal. (Harvey Dent from "The Dark Knight Rises")

You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.

You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. by TheAllKnowingOne November 23, 2013

You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain

A quote from Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight by the character Harvey Dent in reference to Julius Caesar and Batman. Repeated by Batman at the end of the film.

There are several possible meanings:

1. Absolute power eventually corrupts (as in the case of Julius Caesar).
2. Being consistently heroic is difficult if not impossible, circumstances will eventually push you towards villainy (as in the case of Harvey Dent and Batman).
3. Public opinion can easily change and will eventually change. Many people have the tendency find faults even when there are none. It can also be easily manipulated. You might adhere to your code despite 1. and 2., you can still be painted as a villain by your enemies (as in the case of what Joker did to Batman).
4. Villainy and Heroism are relative and not absolute. "Good" will change with time. Different people have different concepts of "good" (the actions of Julius Caesar can be judged very differently by different people throughout the different ages). In many situations, the line between the two concepts can be very blurry (following the law versus vigilantism).

You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain

You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain by Project Book August 5, 2015

Live Long and Prosper

It is used as the greeting of the Vulcan people.

"Live Long and Prosper"
-Mr. Spock (Star Trek: TOS)

Live Long and Prosper by Babbylon 5 July 10, 2005

Live long and prosper

Originally a jewish saying which was commandeered by the famous television series "Star Trek" when jewish actor Leonard Nimoy used it as the Vulcan salute. It's now used as way for us nerds and sci-fi lovers to say goodbye in a different, more permanent way.

Friend moving away to another country - "i'm gonna miss you, man". Nerd - "Live long and prosper"

Live long and prosper by Thanos214 January 12, 2021

Lifelong 

IS extremely gay and the definition of autism;

u r lifelong

Lifelong by kmpk August 17, 2018

lifelong 

lifelong plays on a mac got masters with 2,500 rating. Super ez and not good at minecraft he loves raping black kids especially ones under 10 years of age its ok though because lifelong is only 15 years old! and he loves his cheeseburgers!! and he loves flushing brown people down the toilet people may call that his hobby!

lifelong: LOL UR SO FUCKING EZ KID KYS COON ASS NIGGA
MrCreepyPlayz: Why u so mean to me :(
lifelong: CUZ UR FUCKING EZ ADOPTED COON END UR LIFE

lifelong by EZKIDLOL December 30, 2018

lifelong 

Toxic kid and he’s EZ. He got 346-0 by Farid The legend.

But he’s a great person. Most of all you can beat him with a wooden hoe with 3 cps.

Farid: Hey you suck Lifelong.
Lifelong: STFU you’re literally trash at the GAME. I WAS LAGGING. *tries to find an excuse*
Farid: Jajajaja you have 40 ms ”Im lagging”.

lifelong by Jajajajjajajajaja May 11, 2018