Origin
The proverb “live by the sword, die by the sword” has a biblical origin. It comes from a conversation between Jesus and His disciple Peter just before Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Explanation
The saying “live by the sword, die by the sword” is an idiom that basically means “what goes around comes around.” More to the point, “if you use violent, forceful or underhanded methods against other people, you can expect those same methods to be used against you.” It means those who spend all their time seeking violence and trying to kill others are destined to find the violence they seek and die instead. It is meant as a warning not to seek fights, but to try to find peaceful resolutions to problems if, at all, possible (a sentiment that is too often forgotten and sorely needed in this world). If you use violence against other people, you can expect to have violence used against you; you can expect to become a victim of whatever means you use to get what you want.
Examples
The gang leader who organized so many murders was eventually murdered himself. Live by the sword, die by the sword.
Bill liked to spread damaging gossip about other people, until he lost all his friends because of some gossip that was spread about him. Live by the sword, die by the sword.
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