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Anime and Manga
What good is regretting it now? What can I say to the dead now? What good is repenting my sins now? I can't so much as apologize. This is the path I have traveled. To get what I wanted... I can't apologize. No... if I apologize, if I repent, everything will come to an end.
— Griffith, Berserk
You say my choices make me evil, THEN THAT'S WHAT I'LL BE!!!
— Future Trunks, Dragon Ball Super
Glitter Lucky: So that's the reason? That's why you're doing it?
Ulric: Well, duh! What, you expect us to love the people of this world? When they despise us and abuse us and treat us like monsters? No way!
Brute: Everyone's either scared of you or throwin' things at you or bein' mean to you. It gets you down after awhile. How would you like it if people treated you like that?!
Brooha: But thanks to Emperor Nogo, we don't have to take it anymore! It's our turn now! For all our suffering, it's time for payback!
Ulric: Well, duh! What, you expect us to love the people of this world? When they despise us and abuse us and treat us like monsters? No way!
Brute: Everyone's either scared of you or throwin' things at you or bein' mean to you. It gets you down after awhile. How would you like it if people treated you like that?!
Brooha: But thanks to Emperor Nogo, we don't have to take it anymore! It's our turn now! For all our suffering, it's time for payback!
Rinko Akaishi: (disguised as Destinyland mascot "Mitchy") Kuro-ta—er, I mean... H-HEY!! WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA HERE!? YOU'RE FREAKING EVERYBODY OUT!! C'MON, THIS IS THE LAND OF DREAMS!! Ha-ha!
Kuroe Akaishi: (going through a Partial Transformation into a Kaiju) The land of dreams, you say...? Hey, Mitchy... are ugly monsters... not even allowed to dream? ...That's pretty cold of you. Screw the land of dreams... I hate it... I'M GONNA STOMP IT FLAT. IF I'M NOT ALLOWED TO LIVE LIKE A NORMAL GIRL, THEN... I'LL LIVE LIKE A KAIJU.
Rinko: Kuro-taaaaan!?
Kuroe: I'LL START WITH THAT CASTLE. WHAT PART SHOULD I DESTROY FIRST?
Kuroe Akaishi: (going through a Partial Transformation into a Kaiju) The land of dreams, you say...? Hey, Mitchy... are ugly monsters... not even allowed to dream? ...That's pretty cold of you. Screw the land of dreams... I hate it... I'M GONNA STOMP IT FLAT. IF I'M NOT ALLOWED TO LIVE LIKE A NORMAL GIRL, THEN... I'LL LIVE LIKE A KAIJU.
Rinko: Kuro-taaaaan!?
Kuroe: I'LL START WITH THAT CASTLE. WHAT PART SHOULD I DESTROY FIRST?
To Hell with that. If it means losing more people who are precious to me... I'm done with being decent!
— Akihiro Altland remembering a warning that good people die in battle first, Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
But what do you care?? You've always been the heroine, while I had to be the one everyone said was spoiled! Okay—if they say I'm the "bad girl," then THAT'S WHAT I'M GONNA BE!!
— B-ko, Project A-Ko
Why should I apologize for being a monster? Has anyone ever apologized for turning me into one?
Juuzou Suzuya, Tokyo Ghoul
Comic Books
All right! I've had it! I've been branded an outlaw, so I'll be one! I'll pull a robbery right now!
— Supergirl, Action Comics #362
That's it! I've had it! No matter what I do, people think I'm a menace, including my own woman! Okay, fine! They want a menace?! I've got your menace RIGHT HERE!!
I didn't mean for Jackson to happen! Is that how this works? I made one stupid mistake, and now I have nothing? Now no one will ever look up to me again? After all the good I have done? Stop it! Stop looking at me like I'm some bomb that could go off at any time! Is that what you think I am? Is that what you want me to be? IS IT? Fine.
— The Plutonian, Irredeemable
I wanted to devote my talents to the law, but the F.B.I. turned me down! Very well then, I'll go where I'm appreciated! I'll join the underworld.
— Lena Luthor, The Girl with the X-Ray Mind
"I went to Earth after defeating you...to warn the Terrans— and Superman—of the impeding plague! But he refused my efforts— turned against me! So now I shall turn against him...and join forces with you—Amalak, the Kryptonian-Killer!"
— Nam-Ek, The Plague of the Antibiotic Man
Fan Works
So you say that I'm a monster?
Well I don't disagree.
Even my mother thought me evil,
So evil I'll be.
Well I don't disagree.
Even my mother thought me evil,
So evil I'll be.
— ATLA: Azula Original Song, "Outmatched
"
"I've always thought of myself as a monster and acted accordingly.
Midnight Sparkle: Friendship Games are a lie. No one is interested in friendships, only victory. FRIENDSHIP IS A LIE! Power is what matters! And you can gain it right here, right now! So will you catch this chance? Or are you content with the ill fate that is about to befall you? You being hated even more? Denied everything? Having your dream shattered?!
Sci-Twilight: NO! I WON'T LET THEM DO THIS! NOT CINCH, NOT SHADOWBOLTS, AND NOT THIS GROUP OF "MAGIC GIRLS" EITHER! ALL OF THEM ONLY BROUGHT ME SADNESS AND MISERY, AND NOW THEY WANT TO SHATTER MY DREAMS! BUT I! HAVE! HAD! ENOUGH!!!
Sci-Twilight: NO! I WON'T LET THEM DO THIS! NOT CINCH, NOT SHADOWBOLTS, AND NOT THIS GROUP OF "MAGIC GIRLS" EITHER! ALL OF THEM ONLY BROUGHT ME SADNESS AND MISERY, AND NOW THEY WANT TO SHATTER MY DREAMS! BUT I! HAVE! HAD! ENOUGH!!!
Why not, if that's what they think I am I might as well meet their expectations.
— Loki, Home Return
I don't want to die. Why should I? If there's no mercy for the penitent, well. Maybe penitence isn't the way. I won't go gently, I won't lie down to die. If the choices I have are being a Dark Lord and being dead, then tell the masons to start on my throne.
— Taylor/Mairon, Ring-Maker
Flam: But in Equestria we're not innovators, we're... novelty shop salesponies. A traveling potion and gadget show. So why NOT sell them junk, if that's how they're going to treat everything we invent?
Flim: The average pony acts as if living in the past is the key to an eternal golden age. Why should we waste our best efforts on ponies who think that Status Quo Is God?
Flim: The average pony acts as if living in the past is the key to an eternal golden age. Why should we waste our best efforts on ponies who think that Status Quo Is God?
If I must be a lie, it will at least be on my own terms.
Trixie: Princey... are you insane?! This... this isn't like you. Trixie doesn't like that DJ either, but don't you think this is a bit far? Trixie knows you better than anypony. You're not like this. You're not this bad.
Blueblood: Everypony thinks I am. Why should I bother arguing with them? Might as well go for broke.
Trixie: This is only going to make everypony hate you even more! You do realize that, right? You're not that stupid, are you? Nopony is going to like you after this.
Blueblood: Nopony ever liked me to start with. I'm tired of caring.
Blueblood: Everypony thinks I am. Why should I bother arguing with them? Might as well go for broke.
Trixie: This is only going to make everypony hate you even more! You do realize that, right? You're not that stupid, are you? Nopony is going to like you after this.
Blueblood: Nopony ever liked me to start with. I'm tired of caring.
You don't want to be friends anymore, then fine! I've had it! I'm done playing nice! If everypony wants to see me and Silver Spoon as the so-called rich brats, then we'll give you all what you want! The only two we can rely on is ourselves!
— Diamond Tiara in her diary, Why Am I Crying?
Takahashi Asai: Do you agree with the testimony we have just heard? The confession from Masayoshi Shido?
Goro Akechi: No, Your Honor.
Takahashi Asai: With which part do you disagree?
Goro Akechi: The part about me. The assessment of my character.
Takahashi Asai: Explain, please.
Goro Akechi: I wasn’t some naïve young idealist who threw my lot in with him to make a better world. I served his vision because I wanted to destroy the society around me.
Takahashi Asai: To destroy-
Goro Akechi: Yes. I had no love for it. I still don’t. How could I? You know my history. Without Shido I would have been just one more invisible person of many, forgotten and left for dead. I didn’t know or care whether he would succeed. Only that his attempt would cause the damage I wanted. That’s why I went along with him, no matter how atrocious his demands became. I had no future. No aspirations, no hope, nothing outside of this goal. I’m not alone in feeling this way. But of all those forgotten people, I was the one who found Shido.
Goro Akechi: No, Your Honor.
Takahashi Asai: With which part do you disagree?
Goro Akechi: The part about me. The assessment of my character.
Takahashi Asai: Explain, please.
Goro Akechi: I wasn’t some naïve young idealist who threw my lot in with him to make a better world. I served his vision because I wanted to destroy the society around me.
Takahashi Asai: To destroy-
Goro Akechi: Yes. I had no love for it. I still don’t. How could I? You know my history. Without Shido I would have been just one more invisible person of many, forgotten and left for dead. I didn’t know or care whether he would succeed. Only that his attempt would cause the damage I wanted. That’s why I went along with him, no matter how atrocious his demands became. I had no future. No aspirations, no hope, nothing outside of this goal. I’m not alone in feeling this way. But of all those forgotten people, I was the one who found Shido.
I turned to piracy to be free of a world that rejected me.
— Portgas D. Ace, This Bites!
"They do nothing but push me, make me out to be a monster..........
I'll show them what a monster is.....I'll show them a real outsider. I'll make those demons pay for ever waking up the REAL me....!!!! Hyeheheheh, they'll see.... THEY'LL ALL SEE!!!"
I'll show them what a monster is.....I'll show them a real outsider. I'll make those demons pay for ever waking up the REAL me....!!!! Hyeheheheh, they'll see.... THEY'LL ALL SEE!!!"
— Monaca Towa, Ultimate Outsider
Film — Animated
You want me to be the bad guy? Fine. Now I'm the bad guy.
—Mother Gothel, Tangled
If the world is only going to see a fox as shifty and untrustworthy, there's no point in trying to be anything else.
Then let my heart be hardened
And never mind how high the cost may grow.
This will still be so.
I will never let your people go.
And never mind how high the cost may grow.
This will still be so.
I will never let your people go.
— King Rameses II, The Prince of Egypt
No matter how hard I tried I was always the odd man out. The last one picked. The screw up! The black sheep! The Bad boy! Was this my destiny? Wait... maybe it was! Being bad is the one thing I'm good at. Then it hit me; if I was the bad boy, then I was going to be the baddest boy of them all!
—Megamind, Megamind
Do I wish people didn't see us as monsters? Sure, I do. But these are the cards we've been dealt, so we might as well play them.
—Mr. Wolf, The Bad Guys
Film — Live-Action
"They call them cold-hearted killers
They say they are heartless and mean
But I say this with pride
That I once knew Clyde
When he was honest and upright and clean
But the laws fooled around
Kept takin' him down
And lockin' him up in a cell
Till he said to me: 'I'll never be free
So I'll meet a few of them in Hell.'"
They say they are heartless and mean
But I say this with pride
That I once knew Clyde
When he was honest and upright and clean
But the laws fooled around
Kept takin' him down
And lockin' him up in a cell
Till he said to me: 'I'll never be free
So I'll meet a few of them in Hell.'"
—Bonnie Parker on Clyde Barrow, Bonnie and Clyde
If they want a villain for a queen
I'm gonna be one like they've never seen
I'm gonna be one like they've never seen
— Audrey, Descendants 3, "Queen of Mean"
I use to think that my life was a tragedy. But now I realize it's a fucking comedy.
Where once was light, now darkness falls.
Where once was love, love is no more.
Don't say goodbye...
Don't say I didn't try.
These tears we cry, are falling rain,
For all the lies you told us, the hurt, the blame.
And we will weep to be so alone.
We are lost, we can never go home...
So in the end, I'll be what I will be.
No loyal friend was ever there for me.
Now we say goodbye...
We say you didn't try!
These tears you cry, have come too late!
Take back the lies, the hurt, the blame!
And you will weep when you face the end alone,
You are lost, you can never go home,
You are lost, you can never go home...
Where once was love, love is no more.
Don't say goodbye...
Don't say I didn't try.
These tears we cry, are falling rain,
For all the lies you told us, the hurt, the blame.
And we will weep to be so alone.
We are lost, we can never go home...
So in the end, I'll be what I will be.
No loyal friend was ever there for me.
Now we say goodbye...
We say you didn't try!
These tears you cry, have come too late!
Take back the lies, the hurt, the blame!
And you will weep when you face the end alone,
You are lost, you can never go home,
You are lost, you can never go home...
— "Gollum's Song," The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
[Killer Croc] looked like a monster. So they treated him like a monster. And he became a monster.
They lied to me, they shot at me, they hate on me, they're using me, afraid of me, they're dead to me! And now they're all my enemy!
— "My Enemy", theme song of Electro, The Amazing Spider-Man 2
You know all those "dangerous mutants" you hear about on the news? I'm the worst one.
— Pyro, X2: X-Men United
Literature
You get treated like a dumb animal long enough, that's what you become.
— Trumpkin, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Why then had Zhirek not returned to his spoiled innocence, tried to mend the torn garment? Because he had never done any good save through a fear of doing evil. Evil no longer a threat, paradoxically evil was all he could set himself to practice.
—Tales from the Flat Earth, Death's Master
I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind? You, my creator, would tear me to pieces, and triumph; remember that, and tell me why I should pity man more than he pities me? You would not call it murder, if you could precipitate me into one of those ice-rifts, and destroy my frame, the work of your own hands. Shall I respect man when he condemns me? Let him live with me in the interchange of kindness; and, instead of injury I would bestow every benefit upon him with tears of gratitude at his acceptance. But that cannot be; the human senses are insurmountable barriers to our union. Yet mine shall not be the submission of abject slavery. I will revenge my injuries: If I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear, and chiefly towards you my arch-enemy, because my creator, do I swear inextinguishable hatred. Have a care: I will work at your destruction, nor finish until I desolate your heart, so that you shall curse the hour of your birth.
— The Creature, Frankenstein
Everly Morrow: Here’s what I think. My mother — the woman who raised me — told me evil is knowing what is right, but doing what is wrong anyway. Forget about me for a moment. You and Farrah act as if there are good times to do terrible things... but only to save yourselves. Whether wittingly or unwittingly, you cloak your actions in a guileless veneer, claiming you’re saving innocents while destroying other innocents along the way. But anything for the greater good, right?
Roth Charmaine: Everly—
Everly Morrow: No! The sorceress isn’t done talking. Until I was forced into an untenable situation, my only crime was stealing power I knew you would recoup. But I am the evil one? Because I have a sorcerer in my bloodline? Because I disagree with your methods and motives? So be it. If you are heroes, I’d much rather be the villain. Which means, yes. Yes, I think of myself as evil. It is a badge I will forever wear with pride. But I can’t help but wonder how you and Farrah will react when the tables are turned, and a certain sorceress does terrible things to you in order to save herself or someone she loves.
Roth Charmaine: Everly—
Everly Morrow: No! The sorceress isn’t done talking. Until I was forced into an untenable situation, my only crime was stealing power I knew you would recoup. But I am the evil one? Because I have a sorcerer in my bloodline? Because I disagree with your methods and motives? So be it. If you are heroes, I’d much rather be the villain. Which means, yes. Yes, I think of myself as evil. It is a badge I will forever wear with pride. But I can’t help but wonder how you and Farrah will react when the tables are turned, and a certain sorceress does terrible things to you in order to save herself or someone she loves.
— The Evil Queen
"I was going to war with society, or perhaps I would only be renewing it. Now there were no misgivings. I declared myself free from all rules except those I wanted to accept - and I'd change those as I felt on a whim. I would take whatever I wanted. I'd be what I was with a vengeance: a criminal."
— Max Dembo, No Beast So Fierce
I am a rat. And there is no light for rats. There will be no light for me.
— Chiaroscuro, The Tale of Despereaux
"How many times you imagined my betrayal. How willing you were to think the worst of me. Why aren't you happier? I'm just being whom you've always thought I was. I'm giving you the ending you believed in."
— Wang Baoxiang, She Who Became The Sun
Live-Action TV
Jimmy: Help me out here. Did I dream it, or did I have $1,600,000 on my desk in cash? When I close my eyes, I can still see it. It's burned into my retinas like I was staring into the sun. No one on God's green Earth knew we had it. We could have split it 50-50. We could have gone home with $800,000 each! Tax-free!
Mike: ...Your point being?
Jimmy: Why didn't we?! What stopped us?!
Mike: I remember you saying something about "doing the right thing."
Jimmy: I don't even know what that means.
Mike: You wanna know why I didn't take that money? Is that what you're asking?
Jimmy: Yeah, that's what I'm asking.
Mike: Me personally? I was hired to do a job. I did it. That's as far as it goes.
Jimmy: Yeah. Well, I know what stopped me. And you know what? It's never stoppin' me again.
Mike: ...Your point being?
Jimmy: Why didn't we?! What stopped us?!
Mike: I remember you saying something about "doing the right thing."
Jimmy: I don't even know what that means.
Mike: You wanna know why I didn't take that money? Is that what you're asking?
Jimmy: Yeah, that's what I'm asking.
Mike: Me personally? I was hired to do a job. I did it. That's as far as it goes.
Jimmy: Yeah. Well, I know what stopped me. And you know what? It's never stoppin' me again.
Jimmy: I have regrets.
Chuck: ...Why?
Jimmy: Because you're my brother. There aren't that many of us McGills left and uh, I think we should stick together.
Chuck: No, why have regrets at all? What's the point?
Jimmy: ...What do you mean?
Chuck: Well, look at you, you're in so much pain. Why are you putting yourself through all this?
Jimmy: Because I wanted to tell you-
Chuck: -that you have regrets, and I'm telling you: don't bother. What's the point? You're just going to keep hurting people.
Jimmy: That's not true-
Chuck: Jimmy, this is what you do. You hurt people, over and over and over, and then there's this show of remorse-
Jimmy: It's not a show.
Chuck: I know you don't think it's a show. I don't doubt your emotions are real, but what's the point of all the sad faces and the gnashing of teeth? If you're not going to change your behavior, and you won't, why not just skip the whole exercise? In the end, you're going to hurt everyone around you. You can't help it. So stop apologizing and accept it, embrace it; frankly, I'd have more respect for you if you did.
Chuck: ...Why?
Jimmy: Because you're my brother. There aren't that many of us McGills left and uh, I think we should stick together.
Chuck: No, why have regrets at all? What's the point?
Jimmy: ...What do you mean?
Chuck: Well, look at you, you're in so much pain. Why are you putting yourself through all this?
Jimmy: Because I wanted to tell you-
Chuck: -that you have regrets, and I'm telling you: don't bother. What's the point? You're just going to keep hurting people.
Jimmy: That's not true-
Chuck: Jimmy, this is what you do. You hurt people, over and over and over, and then there's this show of remorse-
Jimmy: It's not a show.
Chuck: I know you don't think it's a show. I don't doubt your emotions are real, but what's the point of all the sad faces and the gnashing of teeth? If you're not going to change your behavior, and you won't, why not just skip the whole exercise? In the end, you're going to hurt everyone around you. You can't help it. So stop apologizing and accept it, embrace it; frankly, I'd have more respect for you if you did.
You didn't get it. You were never gonna get it. They dangle these things in front of you, they tell you you got a chance, but I'm sorry, it's a lie. They had already made up their mind. They knew what they were gonna do before you walked in the door. You made a mistake and they are never forgetting it. As far as they're concerned, your mistake is just... it's who you are. And it's all you are. And I'm not just talking about the scholarship. I'm taking about everything. I mean, they'll smile at you, they'll pat you on the head, but they are never, ever letting you in. But listen, it doesn't matter. It doesn't. Because you don't need them. They're not gonna give it to you, so what? You're gonna take it. You're gonna do whatever it takes, you hear me? You are not gonna play by the rules. You're gonna go your own way, you're gonna do what they won't do. You're gonna be smart, you are gonna cut corners, and you are gonna win. They're on the thirty-fifth floor. You're gonna be on the fiftieth floor. You're gonna be looking down on them. The higher you rise, the more they're gonna hate you. Good. Good. You rub their noses in it. You make them suffer. Because you don't matter all that much to them. So what? Screw them. Remember, the winner takes it all.
—Jimmy McGill, Better Call Saul
I have one regret. I regret ever coming to this place with the assumption that a reconciliation could be found. That reason could be a bridge between us. Everyone is a monster to someone. Since you are so convinced that I am yours, I will be it.
— Captain Flint, Black Sails
This city doesn't deserve a better tomorrow! It deserves to DROWN in its FILTH! It deserves people like my father! People like you!
Dad really did open my eyes. If I am to become a God, sacrifices are inevitable. No matter who it is that pursues Kira... I will erase them. In order to become a God... I'll even throw away my soul.
— Light Yagami, Death Note
Reese: What exactly was your plan? You were accused of being a drug dealer, so then you decided to become one?
Jordan Hester: No one would believe me. And I was always a bit of an introvert, you know? A private person?
Reese: Yeah, I know the type.
Hester: I never thought that I would be punished for it. My old boss, police... People hear you're a drug dealer, they stop listening to you. I mean, have you ever hit bottom? I never realized how far down I could go. After a while, I figured, if people keep thinking I'm this "bad guy," why do I keep trying to convince them that I'm not?
Jordan Hester: No one would believe me. And I was always a bit of an introvert, you know? A private person?
Reese: Yeah, I know the type.
Hester: I never thought that I would be punished for it. My old boss, police... People hear you're a drug dealer, they stop listening to you. I mean, have you ever hit bottom? I never realized how far down I could go. After a while, I figured, if people keep thinking I'm this "bad guy," why do I keep trying to convince them that I'm not?
They thought I was their enemy?! They don't know what it means to be my enemy, but they will! From this day forth, Bajor is DEAD! All of Bajor! And this time, even their precious "emissary" won't be able to save them!
Kai Winn: I remember when I first saw the gate of the Celestial Temple. I was on the Promenade. When it burst into view, this whirlpool of color and light, the people all around me were in awe. They said they could feel the love of the Prophets washing over them... Do you know what I felt, Anjohl? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. But I smiled, and pretended I did, because it was expected of me... I've never admitted that to anyone.
"Anjohl"/Dukat: I can understand why.
Kai Winn: They've never spoken to me, never offered me guidance, never trusted me with the fruits of their wisdom. And now, I'm supposed to step down as Kai in order to be blessed by them? No, I have worked too hard, waited too long to give it all up now...
"Anjohl"/Dukat: You shouldn't have to. Merciful gods don't ask their children to make such sacrifices.
Kai Winn: The Prophets have turned their backs on me, after all I've done for them, all the pain I've endured for them.
"Anjohl"/Dukat: They're not worthy of you, Adami.
Kai Winn: I'm a patient woman, but I have run out of patience. I will no longer serve gods who give me nothing in return. I'm ready to walk the path the Pah-Wraiths have laid out for me.
"Anjohl"/Dukat: I'll walk with you, and no one will be able to stand against us.
Kai Winn: Those who dare to try? The Federation and its Vedek puppets? The false gods and their precious "emissary"? They'll all be swept aside like dead leaves before an angry wind!
"Anjohl"/Dukat: I can understand why.
Kai Winn: They've never spoken to me, never offered me guidance, never trusted me with the fruits of their wisdom. And now, I'm supposed to step down as Kai in order to be blessed by them? No, I have worked too hard, waited too long to give it all up now...
"Anjohl"/Dukat: You shouldn't have to. Merciful gods don't ask their children to make such sacrifices.
Kai Winn: The Prophets have turned their backs on me, after all I've done for them, all the pain I've endured for them.
"Anjohl"/Dukat: They're not worthy of you, Adami.
Kai Winn: I'm a patient woman, but I have run out of patience. I will no longer serve gods who give me nothing in return. I'm ready to walk the path the Pah-Wraiths have laid out for me.
"Anjohl"/Dukat: I'll walk with you, and no one will be able to stand against us.
Kai Winn: Those who dare to try? The Federation and its Vedek puppets? The false gods and their precious "emissary"? They'll all be swept aside like dead leaves before an angry wind!
I wish I was the monster you think I am! I wish I had enough poison for the whole pack of you! I would gladly give my life to watch you all swallow it!
— Tyrion Lannister, Game of Thrones
Okay. Well, if that makes me a villain, then so f***ing be it. I can play the f***ing villain!
— Cassie Howard, Euphoria
Racules: Do you understand what it means to point a sword at your king? You have just made yourself the world's enemy!
Gira: That's fine by me. That "justice" you talked about is stupid! Dull! And revolting! If sacrificing children is supposed to be justice, then I'll be the evil that crushes that justice! Now fear me and heed my words! I will show no shred of mercy nor restraint, and spare no effort nor intent! The name of your doom... is Gira! The man who'll become the King of Evil! I... will rule over this entire world!
Gira: That's fine by me. That "justice" you talked about is stupid! Dull! And revolting! If sacrificing children is supposed to be justice, then I'll be the evil that crushes that justice! Now fear me and heed my words! I will show no shred of mercy nor restraint, and spare no effort nor intent! The name of your doom... is Gira! The man who'll become the King of Evil! I... will rule over this entire world!
I made the decision then and there, that the Galactinsect King had to fall. And to make that happen...I would become a villain myself. My long, enduring days of planning began.
—Rcules Husty/Ohkuwagata Ohger, Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger
Music
I am haunted by dreams of blood.
Visions of death, and gore.
It is the future that I see.
And if this is truly my fate...
Then so be it.
Visions of death, and gore.
It is the future that I see.
And if this is truly my fate...
Then so be it.
— Amon Amarth, "Wanderer"
I never wanted to be
What they told me to be,
Fulfill my fate, then I'll be free!
God knows how long
I tried to change fate.
What they told me to be,
Fulfill my fate, then I'll be free!
God knows how long
I tried to change fate.
— Blind Guardian, "Mordred's Song"
It seems you're having some trouble in dealing with these changes...
The world is a scary place now that you've woken up the demon in me.
The world is a scary place now that you've woken up the demon in me.
— Disturbed, "Down With the Sickness"
Can you read between the lines?
Or are you stuck in black and white?
Hope I'm on the list of people that you hate
It's time you met the monster that you have helped create
Or are you stuck in black and white?
Hope I'm on the list of people that you hate
It's time you met the monster that you have helped create
I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
And I fear no evil, because I'm blind to it all.
My mind, and my gun, they comfort me,
because I know I'll kill my enemies when they come.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.
And I will dwell on this Earth forevermore.
I walk beside the still waters, and they restore my soul.
But I can't walk on the path of the right,
because I'm wrong.
No, I can't walk on the path of the right,
because I'm wrong.
And I fear no evil, because I'm blind to it all.
My mind, and my gun, they comfort me,
because I know I'll kill my enemies when they come.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.
And I will dwell on this Earth forevermore.
I walk beside the still waters, and they restore my soul.
But I can't walk on the path of the right,
because I'm wrong.
No, I can't walk on the path of the right,
because I'm wrong.
— Shawn James, "Through the Valley"
You don't see me
When I'm trying to do right
Maybe you gonna see me now
When I'm trying to do right
Maybe you gonna see me now
— Al Jarreau, "You Don't See Me"
Everybody's saying, "Susie's just a common brute!"
So I guess that that's the truth, I see nothing else to do
I'm just tired of always slipping through the cracks
Being judged for what I lack, 'til I go on the attack
Life's a game I just don't want to play and yet I'm here for war
Why so surprised?
It's always been true!
Why did I think it would change with you?
Guess I'll go back to what I always do!
Couldn't be a hero
Gonna shun the light forevermore
So I guess that that's the truth, I see nothing else to do
I'm just tired of always slipping through the cracks
Being judged for what I lack, 'til I go on the attack
Life's a game I just don't want to play and yet I'm here for war
Why so surprised?
It's always been true!
Why did I think it would change with you?
Guess I'll go back to what I always do!
Couldn't be a hero
Gonna shun the light forevermore
You never wanted to see me get better
You lied when you said we were in this together
You twisted my motives and turned me to stone
Till everyone feared me and left me alone
So I'll be the villain you want me to be
I'll take back my world and then you'll all see
With royals and loyalties put to the test
My way has always been best
You lied when you said we were in this together
You twisted my motives and turned me to stone
Till everyone feared me and left me alone
So I'll be the villain you want me to be
I'll take back my world and then you'll all see
With royals and loyalties put to the test
My way has always been best
— Candlebard, "This Kingdom Is Mine"
When I had nothing to say, you couldn't take it
Told everyone I'm a bitch, so I became it[...]
And I was tryna be nice
But nothing's getting through, so let me spell it out
A-B-C-D-E F you
And your mom and your sister and your job
And your Craigslist couch and the way your voice sounds
Fuck you and your friends that I'll never see again
Everybody but the dog, you can all fuck off
Told everyone I'm a bitch, so I became it[...]
And I was tryna be nice
But nothing's getting through, so let me spell it out
A-B-C-D-E F you
And your mom and your sister and your job
And your Craigslist couch and the way your voice sounds
Fuck you and your friends that I'll never see again
Everybody but the dog, you can all fuck off
— Gayle, "ABCDEFU"
Professional Wrestling
MVP doesn't even deserve to be in the same ring as me. If it was up to me, MVP would still be in jail! I don't believe in second chances because I have been perfect my entire life. Yet you mistakes all still boo me and cheer him. Well go ahead! Boo me! Cheer MVP! I'd rather you all hate me for everything I am than love me for something I'm not!
— The Miz, the Locker Room promo, 2010
Tabletop Games
You have to remember I didn't choose this. I would never have chosen this. It's not my fault I have cloven hooves instead of feet, and it didn't make me a bad person. It was you, you and your kind, you made me a bad person. You fear anything that's different. My own village feared me once they found out, called me tainted by Chaos, drove me out of the town with Torches and Pitchforks, they did. Well, I'm not one to argue with my old neighbours, especially when they outnumber me fifty-to-one. If they thought I was some kind of Chaos Beast, well, I felt it would be only fair if I lived up to their fears.
I fled to the woods, and there I found more Mutants, more of my kind. We lived by scavenging and raiding, mostly, 'til we ended up fighting the Beastmen. Yes, they killed most of my companions, but when they took me among them when they saw I was part Beast myself, and when they saw how well I fought, that was when I had to make the decision. It was clear I was never going to make much of a name for myself among them just for what I was — the lack of horns soon put paid to any illusion I might have had about that. So the best way I could make myself useful to them, make sure I didn't end up on a cooking spit myself, was to lead them to the village and tell them what it had in way of defences and loot. Turnabout is fair play, after all. It had been quite clear to me that I was no longer welcome there myself, so what were the people to me? Nothing. Nothing but tasty meat and good loot. Yes, that's right, I ate my own erstwhile neighbours when the fight was done, or bits of them anyway... Bov the Butcher's shoulder was particularly good, fat and succulent.
Yes, I'm a monster. A monster made by you. You and your kind.
I fled to the woods, and there I found more Mutants, more of my kind. We lived by scavenging and raiding, mostly, 'til we ended up fighting the Beastmen. Yes, they killed most of my companions, but when they took me among them when they saw I was part Beast myself, and when they saw how well I fought, that was when I had to make the decision. It was clear I was never going to make much of a name for myself among them just for what I was — the lack of horns soon put paid to any illusion I might have had about that. So the best way I could make myself useful to them, make sure I didn't end up on a cooking spit myself, was to lead them to the village and tell them what it had in way of defences and loot. Turnabout is fair play, after all. It had been quite clear to me that I was no longer welcome there myself, so what were the people to me? Nothing. Nothing but tasty meat and good loot. Yes, that's right, I ate my own erstwhile neighbours when the fight was done, or bits of them anyway... Bov the Butcher's shoulder was particularly good, fat and succulent.
Yes, I'm a monster. A monster made by you. You and your kind.
— Karl Schulman, former schoolteacher of Dannenberg village, Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay
Theatre
Salarino: Why, I am sure, if he forfeit, thou wilt not take his flesh: what's that good for?
Shylock: To bait fish withal: if it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge. He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies; and what's his reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge. The villainy you teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.
Shylock: To bait fish withal: if it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge. He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies; and what's his reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge. The villainy you teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.
Thou call'dst me dog before thou hadst a cause;
But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs.
But, since I am a dog, beware my fangs.
— Shylock, The Merchant of Venice
And therefore, since I cannot prove the lover
To entertain these fair well-spoken days,
I am determined to prove a villain,
And hate the idle pleasures of these days.
To entertain these fair well-spoken days,
I am determined to prove a villain,
And hate the idle pleasures of these days.
I'm gonna be what they want.
I'm gonna be what they say.
Hey world, I'll do it your way!
You're lookin' for a monster, well it's your lucky day!
I'm gonna be what they say.
Hey world, I'll do it your way!
You're lookin' for a monster, well it's your lucky day!
— Shrek, Shrek the Musical, "Gonna Build a Wall"
All right, enough — so be it — so be it, then
Let all Oz be agreed
I'm wicked through and through
Since I cannot succeed, Fiyero, saving you
I promise no good deed
Will I attempt to do again
Ever again
No good deed will I do again!
Let all Oz be agreed
I'm wicked through and through
Since I cannot succeed, Fiyero, saving you
I promise no good deed
Will I attempt to do again
Ever again
No good deed will I do again!
— Elphaba, Wicked, "No Good Deed"
The road ahead may twist, but I will never swerve
I'll give them all the unsung anti-hero they deserve
I've nothing left to lose
so the only path to choose
Is twisted
Let them twist my words, let the people scorn me
Who cares if no one will ever mourn me?
Let them bury the side of the story they'll never learn
Let the truth be twisted
Let my life be twisted
I'll be twisted!
It's my turn!
I'll give them all the unsung anti-hero they deserve
I've nothing left to lose
so the only path to choose
Is twisted
Let them twist my words, let the people scorn me
Who cares if no one will ever mourn me?
Let them bury the side of the story they'll never learn
Let the truth be twisted
Let my life be twisted
I'll be twisted!
It's my turn!
Video Games
The Commander: The crusaders were right. You're a traitor, you always were a traitor!
Staunton Vhane: Maybe you're right. But you won't change your mind either way - so why waste my time trying to convince you? No matter what he does, no matter what he says, Staunton Vhane will always be considered a traitor. Well then, Staunton Vhane will finally be the traitor you've always wanted.
If you're gonna treat me like a bandit, then that's exactly what I'm gonna be!
— The Slab King/Brick, Borderlands 2
Everything could have been so different had he not been born a monster. Born a monster? Monsters aren't born. They're made. Made in a crucible of hate, cruelty and abuse. Hot sauce and belts! That's the stuff of monsters.
Treat people like animals long enough, they'll start acting like animals.
— Adam Jensen, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
There is freedom in being hated. There is license in being cast out. Some learn this lesson a little too well...
I am not giving up. I am giving in. Meredith expects Blood Magic? Then I shall give it to her! Maker help us all...
— Orsino, Dragon Age II
The provocations we have suffered have worked.
—The Arishok, Dragon Age II
No sooner do I wake from gentle slumber than the world returns in all its cruelty. Yes, this is how it always was. How it was meant to be. Very well. If I cannot escape my nature, then I shall embrace it.
— Yotsuyu, Final Fantasy XIV
Fan Translation: There's nothing left for me. No place to return to, nobody to love, and nothing to believe in... Nothing... but Demons... ...I will become a Demon... In doing so, I shall teach humanity the folly of their selfishness! From now on... I am no longer Oersted... I am... The Demon King... Odio...!
Remake Translation: Naught remains. Alone. Utterly alone. Cast out. Unloved. Outside the grace of gods. The Archon's Roost, they call this shrine of death. Yet nowhere do I spy our Lord of Dark. His throne sits empty, wanting for an heir... Did I not do all that was asked? Did I not serve and seek my fair and just reward? And for my deeds, they damn me. Name me demon. And who am I to deny it? Demon, then! Renouncing former ties and titles! And in their place, I claim... The Lord of Dark. Odio!
Remake Translation: Naught remains. Alone. Utterly alone. Cast out. Unloved. Outside the grace of gods. The Archon's Roost, they call this shrine of death. Yet nowhere do I spy our Lord of Dark. His throne sits empty, wanting for an heir... Did I not do all that was asked? Did I not serve and seek my fair and just reward? And for my deeds, they damn me. Name me demon. And who am I to deny it? Demon, then! Renouncing former ties and titles! And in their place, I claim... The Lord of Dark. Odio!
The world calls for wetwork, and we answer. No greater good. No just cause.
— Benedict "Kazuhira" Miller, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Since your name has been disgraced already, why not hoist the flag and wreak havoc...? The "other you" who exists within desires it thus...
You look for evil in people, sooner or later you'll find it. Even when it wasn't there in the first place.
— John Wolf, The Secret World
Jo'on Yorigami: Ah, we're done for! There's no way you can win on your own, sis! You're totally useless in battle! You're just a gloomy, poor, smelly, miser who can't do anything on your own! All you ever do is complain! There's not a single good thing about you! And now you're on your own! I mean, you're a god of poverty who's never experienced victory even once. In a one-on-one fight with the goddamned incident-resolving shrine maiden!? It's over! We lost!
Reimu Hakurei: Okay, okay, that's enough of the harsh farewell. Now, all I have to do is beat this small-fry poverty god whose only power is to make people lose.
Shion Yorigami: Jo'on... All of you... Even if everyone's always looking down on me, you didn't have to go that far! (Shion Awakens) My name is Shion Yorigami! I'm a poverty god who brings bad luck even to crying children!
Reimu: Wh-What an incredible negative aura!
Shion: I've never been serious about this until now. If I let it all out, everyone will be unfortunate, including me! But I've had enough. Who cares about winning or losing? When I'm done here, we'll all be losers. The shrine maiden, me, and you too, Jo'on!
Reimu: This negative aura makes the plague god seem like nothing! Did our plan fail when we put the poverty god in center stage?!
Shion: No one wins. No one finds happiness. I'll show you a world where we all suffer together!
Reimu Hakurei: Okay, okay, that's enough of the harsh farewell. Now, all I have to do is beat this small-fry poverty god whose only power is to make people lose.
Shion Yorigami: Jo'on... All of you... Even if everyone's always looking down on me, you didn't have to go that far! (Shion Awakens) My name is Shion Yorigami! I'm a poverty god who brings bad luck even to crying children!
Reimu: Wh-What an incredible negative aura!
Shion: I've never been serious about this until now. If I let it all out, everyone will be unfortunate, including me! But I've had enough. Who cares about winning or losing? When I'm done here, we'll all be losers. The shrine maiden, me, and you too, Jo'on!
Reimu: This negative aura makes the plague god seem like nothing! Did our plan fail when we put the poverty god in center stage?!
Shion: No one wins. No one finds happiness. I'll show you a world where we all suffer together!
Tarred with your predecessor's brush, many doors were closed to you. Where did you turn to find acceptance?
To villains. Since you were already condemned, you decided that you might as well do something unquestionably worth condemning.
— A Disgraced Predecessor facet, Sunless Skies
Jin: The castle is yours. The Khan marches north. We can head them off—
Lord Shimura: You defied me.
Jin: I did what I had to. For them.
Lord Shimura: Is this how you want to be remembered?
Yuna: He defended us.
Lord Shimura: By spreading fear and chaos!
Jin: We are at war.
Lord Shimura: And you are acting like the enemy. (Beat) This is not our way.
Jin: Your way can't save our people.
Lord Shimura: (walks up to Jin) The shogun will demand a head, but it does not have to be yours. I know she drove you to do this.
Jin: Uncle—
Lord Shimura: Renounce the Ghost. You must blame her for this outrage. Tell them... you are Jin Shimura. Loyal Servant to the shogun. My heir... (holds out the paper declaring Jin his son) my son.
Jin: I am not your son. I am the Ghost.
Lord Shimura: (retracts his hand) And you will be judged for it.
Lord Shimura: You defied me.
Jin: I did what I had to. For them.
Lord Shimura: Is this how you want to be remembered?
Yuna: He defended us.
Lord Shimura: By spreading fear and chaos!
Jin: We are at war.
Lord Shimura: And you are acting like the enemy. (Beat) This is not our way.
Jin: Your way can't save our people.
Lord Shimura: (walks up to Jin) The shogun will demand a head, but it does not have to be yours. I know she drove you to do this.
Jin: Uncle—
Lord Shimura: Renounce the Ghost. You must blame her for this outrage. Tell them... you are Jin Shimura. Loyal Servant to the shogun. My heir... (holds out the paper declaring Jin his son) my son.
Jin: I am not your son. I am the Ghost.
Lord Shimura: (retracts his hand) And you will be judged for it.
"Can a flower hold beauty if it does not wilt?! Can a wolf be satisfied with eating grass?! The thought makes me retch! As do those who wish for it, and those content to live in shackles! Let the biting bugs go ahead and eat what they wanna eat! Let the weeds grow where they wanna grow! Some may look down at them and scoff at their foolishness, but their unwavering wills are proof they're alive! If that's what you call "evil", then I will live and die with evil as my mantra!"
— Magilou, Tales of Berseria
Have you forgotten – that those gates are my design? You would not know, because you do not look up. You bend knees only for ants and vermin. But I have been working on a grander design. A greater gate – to travel greater seas. What if I met you, on one of these extinct planets? What if I caused the calamities you strive to avoid? What if I reaped destruction? What would you do then? I know the planet you trail - of water and dirt. You fear their stability. That they will consume themselves. Maybe I will go there first.
— Mithrix, Risk of Rain 2
They want me to rot? Oh, I'll rot. And so will they, in the end. It's pointless to act as if you're above it all. *cough, cough* That, is why... If the world expects us to prey on the weak, we mustn't disappoint them. Wouldn't you agree?
— Moxie's mom, Wandering Wolf Trick
Visual Novel
[Caster/Medea] was originally an innocent person, but after suffering from repeated betrayal, she thought "Hmmm, fine, I might as well sink to rock bottom." Because of this, she was tainted by evil.
Webcomics
Tiger: A good deed by a supervillain, that's rich.
Dr. Universe: Ask the average Joe today who the villains are, and he'll name the banker! The scientist! The entrepreneur! Ask him who his heroes are, and he'll name an actor or a pop star! If that is the standard of the day, then I absolutely am a supervillain!
Dr. Universe: Ask the average Joe today who the villains are, and he'll name the banker! The scientist! The entrepreneur! Ask him who his heroes are, and he'll name an actor or a pop star! If that is the standard of the day, then I absolutely am a supervillain!
"F-Freak?" He shot at me just for what I look like? Yeah? W-Well, if they want a monster, maybe I'll just give them one! Like Shelley's Frankenstein monster, if I cannot give love to the world, then I will give it wrath! I'll... I'll...! Aw, who am I kidding? I haven't got any wrath! Oh Dr. Poule, what am I going to do? *Sob!*
— Molly the Monster, The Inexplicable Adventures of Bob! — Oct. 14, 2006.
She came here, claiming to be the Heterodyne, with her stupid pink airship and her pretty perfect clothes and her cheap theatrics, not to mention she tried to kill me and is probably the one responsible for the army of clanks at my gate — But I'm the big meanie, because I made Princess Psycho cry.
(...)
And I'm the evil madgirl with the death ray and freakish ancestors, and the town full of minions, and the horde of Jägers, and the homicidal castle full of sycophantic evil geniuses and fun-sized hunter-killer monster clanks and goodness knows what else-... and you know what? I CAN WORK WITH THAT!
(...)
And I'm the evil madgirl with the death ray and freakish ancestors, and the town full of minions, and the horde of Jägers, and the homicidal castle full of sycophantic evil geniuses and fun-sized hunter-killer monster clanks and goodness knows what else-... and you know what? I CAN WORK WITH THAT!
— Agatha Heterodyne, Girl Genius, in Vol. 9 p. 47
Although I recognize the mistakes I've made... I do feel the need to defend myself. Would you blame me for wanting more? After being denied all my life? If you deprive a man of water for long enough, would you blame him for drinking from a poisoned well? Your world was cruel to me! It denied me unjustly! It denied my passion! It denied mind. When given an opportunity to take what should have been mine to begin with, why would I ever refuse?!? I have never felt such freedom before! Of course I would indulge in it! You would have done so as well. It's only human. You dare blame me for wanting a new life? A better life? In a better world than the rotten one I've left behind?! World full of imbeciles! Why should I explain myself to them? To you? Master will fix all of it! She will cure you! She will remake the whole world! She will cut away the rot! She will grow Her new garden in the new soil. I don't think she should. She should let you rot! But she is better than I am. She showed me what I could be. She offered me everything. Why did I refuse? Only the blind will fight her. And still, She will welcome them into Her garden. She doesn't know revenge. Would She take me back? Master, She is so beautiful and true! I love Her voice! I love Her touch! I miss Her so much! I love Her! I LOVE HER! She will fix this rotten world! I LOVE HER!
— Annie-Marie Bowyer, The Invitation
Crust: YOU'RE QUITTING?!
Eel: Hmph...
Urchin: Don't be like that, Eel. This is for the best.
Crust: But why?! You're 5-1! You're doing great!
Urchin: So what? I did nothing to these people but they hate my guts! Why do a song and dance for them?
Eel: Hmph?
Urchin: No, I'm going to keep boxing, but on my terms. Screw the PBL. They want a bad guy? They've got one...
Eel: Hmph...
Urchin: Don't be like that, Eel. This is for the best.
Crust: But why?! You're 5-1! You're doing great!
Urchin: So what? I did nothing to these people but they hate my guts! Why do a song and dance for them?
Eel: Hmph?
Urchin: No, I'm going to keep boxing, but on my terms. Screw the PBL. They want a bad guy? They've got one...
Web Original
"No. I can't do "whatever it takes." They'll never forgive me... so what's the point? Waste away in a dungeon? Banished back to ice? Blown up again? I can't. I won't. So I might as well... go out with a bang. Just embrace the hate.. Just embrace the fear... And release it."
— King Sombra, Ask King Sombra
If the world won't love me, I'll teach it to fear me instead.
— Sweetie Bot, Friendship is Witchcraft
Wilbur: Okay, me and you, we both agree we're right. We're in the right, here.
Tommy: I mean, yeah, I'm always in the right, so...
Wilbur: Then let's be the bad guys. Tommy, what– Why not? Why not? Look, it's– our nation's gone! Our nation's far behind us, Tommy! Let's blow that motherfucker to smithereens.
Tommy: I mean, yeah, I'm always in the right, so...
Wilbur: Then let's be the bad guys. Tommy, what– Why not? Why not? Look, it's– our nation's gone! Our nation's far behind us, Tommy! Let's blow that motherfucker to smithereens.
"Celia had succeeded and awakened the spirit of Dracula within Soma. He struck her down and swore that all of humanity would pay for what happened. If the humans wanted a Dark Lord, they would have him."
I didn't have a big plan. I was 'sposed to be nice, but you forced me to be BAAAAAD, so I gonna be baaaaaad.
— Benrey, Half-Life but the AI is Self-Aware
"If it's 1 or 1000 sins you're still getting sent to Hell. So why not go for 1,000,000 sins and come down here a legend?"
I remain still
Power of will
Leaves me here to keep on trying
I know somehow
There's no point now
To try and stop the hate, the dying
I finally see
Neither world cares for me
I'll stand my ground
No one can stop me now!
No hopes, no dreams
I have nothing
Death is all that can define me
The end's calling
No more stalling
Stars will fade but I'll keep shining
Power of will
Leaves me here to keep on trying
I know somehow
There's no point now
To try and stop the hate, the dying
I finally see
Neither world cares for me
I'll stand my ground
No one can stop me now!
No hopes, no dreams
I have nothing
Death is all that can define me
The end's calling
No more stalling
Stars will fade but I'll keep shining
— Chara, Undertale the Musical, "Star"
Web Video
As I lay there; betrayed by The Lord I thought on my side, made a Monster in His name... I swore I would not allow another Monster like myself to exist in this world!
— Alucard, Hellsing Ultimate Abridged
Western Animation
I tried to be good. I really did. But if that's not good enough, fine! Let's get back to basics!
They want "grim and gritty", huh? Happy to play the part...
I did love being a hero. But if this is where it leads, I'm done with it.
— Justice Lord Superman, Justice League, "A Better World"
Spider-Man: What's with breaking into jewelry stores? Wasn't getting arrested once enough to teach you a lesson?
Rocker Racer: The lesson is to survive, man! It's not an easy thing down here! I bet when you take off that mask and go home, you don't come down to this neighborhood. See, I didn't steal anything- but everyone thinks I did! So what's the point of playing by the rules, man? Tell me that, Spider-Guy!
Rocker Racer: The lesson is to survive, man! It's not an easy thing down here! I bet when you take off that mask and go home, you don't come down to this neighborhood. See, I didn't steal anything- but everyone thinks I did! So what's the point of playing by the rules, man? Tell me that, Spider-Guy!
I say if you're not going to give me the respect I want as a hero, then maybe you'll give me respect as a villain. A villain who is... EVIL!
— Barnacle Boy aka Barnacle Man, SpongeBob SquarePants
I couldn't stay away. If they're gonna punish me like a Crystal Gem... I might as well be one, right? You got room for one more?
— Lapis Lazuli, Steven Universe, "Reunited"
Believe me I know, I've sunk pretty low,
But whatever I've done, you deserved! (Arianna: Varian...) Quiet!!
I'm the bad guy, that's fine, it's no fault of mine!
And some justice at last will be served! (Arianna: Please, listen!)
But whatever I've done, you deserved! (Arianna: Varian...) Quiet!!
I'm the bad guy, that's fine, it's no fault of mine!
And some justice at last will be served! (Arianna: Please, listen!)
— Varian, Tangled: The Series, "Ready As I'll Ever Be"
You want me to be the bad guy? Fine! Now I'm the bad guy.
— Cassandra, Tangled: The Series, "Once a Handmaiden…"
I've tried my best at helpin' folks, but I've run out of time!
My nice list hopes, gone up in smoke as bells of judgement chime!
I see now that I'm doomed, my gift-wrapped ship has sank!
So I shall resume my Christmas pranks!
My nice list hopes, gone up in smoke as bells of judgement chime!
I see now that I'm doomed, my gift-wrapped ship has sank!
So I shall resume my Christmas pranks!
— Cricket, Big City Greens, "If I Can't Have Christmas"
No dad, you're basically a Nice Guy who's pretending to be evil... and you know it seems like it's all out of obligation to your backstories, not something that truly comes from your heart.
Miss Martian: A ma'alefa'ak is a rabid beast.
Ma'alefa'ak: It's a symbol! The Greens are a superstitious and cowardly lot. The ma'alefa'ak scares them. So let them be scared by me. You know it's what they call us behind our backs, anyway.
Ma'alefa'ak: It's a symbol! The Greens are a superstitious and cowardly lot. The ma'alefa'ak scares them. So let them be scared by me. You know it's what they call us behind our backs, anyway.
—Young Justice, "Away Mission"
Craig: Check it out, JP. It's some sort of tunnel. Xavier, what do you see?
Xavier: I'll tell you what I see. I see a bunch of kids who don't want to know me as anything other than a bad guy. Well, please allow me to re-introduce myself. Bad guy's back.
— Craig of the Creek, "Putting Together The Pieces"
Other
It is more important that innocence be protected than it is that guilt be punished, for guilt and crimes are so frequent in this world that they cannot all be punished. But if innocence itself is brought to the bar and condemned, perhaps to die, then the citizen will say, "whether I do good or whether I do evil is immaterial, for innocence itself is no protection," and if such an idea as that were to take hold in the mind of the citizen that would be the end of security whatsoever.
The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to receive its warmth.
— African Proverb
When all men say you are an ass, it is time to bray.
— English Proverb
It's hard to fly with the eagles when you're surrounded by turkeys.
— Anon
The healthy man does not torture others — generally it is the tortured who turn into torturers.
