Board Thread:Spoilers!/@comment-6175354-20140113165251/@comment-6175354-20140508141840

Ktorg117 wrote: Totally true. However, without Belle, he would be even more dark than he is now. Belle acts sort of a redemption for him. Well, Belle is doing a very poor job. As Hook told her, Rumple is coward and a lost cause.

It has been implied, several times; that the only way Rumplestiltskin can be redeemed, is through sacrificing himself. As the Dark One, his magic stems from pure evil. Unlike Regina's magic, which is technically neutral.