Ever since he made his debut in Detective Comics #66, Harvey Dent, aka Two-Face, has been one of the most prominent members of Batman's rogues gallery. The lawman-turned-villain has appeared in several live-action and animated DC projects over the decades, impressing fans in more than ways than one.
Among the multiple things that make Harvey Dent an outstanding character is his dialogue. The antagonist easily switches between philosophical and direct remarks in his efforts to justify his actions. Even though he mostly comes off as delusional, he has made plenty of sense on select occasions.
When He Foreshadows His Own Transformation
"You Either Die A Hero, Or You Live Long Enough To See Yourself Become The Villain." - The Dark Knight
While having dinner with Rachel, Bruce, and Natascha, Harvey Dent explains why he is so hellbent on putting Gotham's criminals behind bars. According to him, it's a matter of duty because if he doesn't do so, he'll soon be counted as one of the bad guys.
Dent starts out on the positive side of the morality coin. By pushing the Dent Act, which will ensure more jail time for Gotham's notorious criminals, he rightfully considers himself a hero. Interestingly, he has no idea that he is about to become just like the lawbreakers he has dedicated his life to punishing. Soon after half his face gets damaged, his perspective changes.
When Batman Defeats Him Again
"The Bat's Stubborn Refusal To Expire ... Is Driving Us Insane." - Batman Forever
Two-Face isn't exactly one of Tommy Lee Jones' best roles but the character has his moments. No matter how much he tries to defeat Batman, he fails to do so. This makes him reach his breaking point and so he goes on a rant.
Two-Face can find solace in the fact that he isn't the only one that keeps failing miserably in his effort to kill the Caped Crusader. Many Gotham baddies have been unsuccessful too. Although Batman has died a couple of times in the comics, no live-action villain has ever come close to killing him.
When He Responds To A Reporter
"We Have Enough Problems In This City Without Worrying About Ghosts Or Goblins. - Batman (1989)
Gotham Globe reporter Alexander Knox approaches Harvey Dent to ask him what his opinion of Gotham's new vigilante is. Dent quickly makes it clear that it's the least of his worries.
Since the first-ever Batman live-action movie focuses entirely on the Joker, fans never get to see this version of Dent turn into Two-Face. Still, his principles and priorities are similar to that of every other version of the act. His focus is on Gotham's outlaws and if there is a 'ghost' or 'goblin' is willing to help, then he is very much welcome.
When He Responds To A Guard's Pleas For Mercy
"You Could Say We're Of Two Minds On The Subject." - Batman Forever
During a bank robbery, a guard pleads with Two-Face to spare his life. Keeping up with his persona, he says he is rather conflicted about it so a coin toss will do.
Unlike other villains, the version of Two-Face in the movie doesn't believe it's up to him to decide who lives and dies. It's all up to fate and the best way to see what fate has in store for his victims is by the toss of a coin. In some comic issues, he has been outed as a person who doesn't truly believe in fate since, in one of Two-Face's key moments in the comics, his coins are revealed to have heads on both sides.
When He Threatens And Greets Dick Lovecraft At The Same Time
"I Will Rip You Open. ... It's Good To See You, Dick." - Gotham
When billionaire Dick Lovecraft shows up at Dent's office to be interrogated about the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne, he threatens the DA. This causes Harvey to briefly change from his usually calm demeanor.
Earlier in his career, Two-Face does his best to suppress the darker side of his personality. Howver, Lovecraft pushes him so much to the limit that he can't help but threaten him. Making two conflicting remarks in one sentence shows just how two-faced he really is. With time, he gets tired of pretending.
When He Argues With Batman And Gordon
"You Thought We Could Be Decent Men In An Indecent Time. But You Were Wrong." - The Dark Knight
Soon after Harvey Dent turns into Two-Face, Batman and Gordon try to reason with him but the villain won't listen. He simply argues that it doesn't make sense to be a good person in Gotham.
Harvey's actions are a little bit justifiable since he not only lost the love of his life but also had half his face damaged. And all this was the fault of other people. Nonetheless, he is wrong about the impossibility of being decent men in an indecent time. After all, Batman and Gordon are able to do so quite efficiently.
When He Warns Bruce Not To Steal His Fiance
"You Do, And I'll Prosecute." - Batman: The Animated Series
Bruce and Grace once banter with Harvey, asking him when he's planning to wed his fiance because it's been a while. Bruce then threatens to steal her if Harvey wastes too much and the DA responds in a rather hilarious manner.
Before becoming a headache to Batman and the GCPD, Harvey makes a name for himself as the best ever prosecutor to ever walk the city. It's, therefore, fitting for him to come up with a prosecution joke while warning Bruce to stay away from his fiance. He is right to be worried too since Bruce is a known playboy.
When He Threatens Maroni
"The Joker Is Just A Mad Dog. I Want Whoever Let Him Off The Leash." - The Dark Knight
Maroni finds himself with a gun pointed to his head when he enters his car to drive. At the back of the seat is Two-Face, who refuses to accept that one of the best villains in The Dark Knight trilogy, the Joker, is working alone.
Most characters in the movie fear the Joker, including the mobsters, but Two-Face doesn't and that's because of his history as Gotham's District Attorney. In the past, he dealt with so many criminals that none scares him anymore. His refusal to enter a direct conflict with the Joker also creates room for Batman to be the sole person that deals with the Clown Prince of Crime.
When He Explains Why He Loves Tossing Coins
"Luck. Blind, Stupid, Simple, Doo-Dah, Clueless Luck." - Batman Forever
While trying to explain why he loves tossing coins to determine the fate of his victims, Tw0-Face explains that everything is about luck. He adds that it's because of luck that holy men are killed while bad people live long, and why one sibling is born a hero and another a coward.
Two-Face's argument about luck playing a part in most occurrences is a reasonable one but he refuses to factor in the fact that actions have consequences too. It's isn't luck that drives him to rob banks in the movie or to try to kill Batman. It is his own free will. He could have easily chosen to do good like Batman but he didn't.
When He Refuses To Tell Bruce About His Problems
"You Don't Know The Half Of It." - Batman: The Animated Series
When Bruce spots Harvey walking away just before the election results are announced, he approaches him, trying to find out what's wrong. Harvey refuses to talk because he is being bothered by his split personality.
It's perhaps Harvey's most fitting remark since there is literally a half of him that Bruce and many other people aren't aware of. Though he tries to keep it suppressed for long, he eventually accepts who he is and begins committing crimes. However, viewers get the impression that things wouldn't have gotten that far if he had opened up.