The ends justify the means. Not a moral statement on 'doing whatever it takes' - it is meaningless to win when the victors are no different from the victims.
Rather, an observation on the nature of what it is to be justified or vilified.
The ones at the end decide. When it is happening, it is never justified. It is never tolerated. It is vilified. It is criminal. The means are always painted as extremes.
Something new can only ever be justified when you reach the end. Until then, it - literally - is radical.
To the present, you're just a person stirring up trouble. Could be good, could be bad, but either way, it's trouble.
You can only ever be a hero to history.