The Godfather quotes

View Quote [to Bonasera] I want you to use all your powers and all your skills. I don't want his mother to see him this way. [sobbing] Look how they massacred my boy.

View Quote [to Tom Hagen]Tattaglia's a pimp. He never could've out-fought Santino. But I didn't know until this day that it was Barzini all along.

View Quote [In the hospital after Sollozzo tries to kill him] There's a lot of trouble with this Sollozzo business. Its very unfortunate. I know the Tattaglia's are a little misfortunate...down on their heads. Well...that's life. Everyone's got their own circle of sorrow.

View Quote [to Michael] Barzini will move against you first. He'll set up a meeting with someone that you absolutely trust, guaranteeing your safety. And at that meeting, you'll be assassinated...It's an old habit. I spend my life trying not to be careless. Women and children can afford to be careless, but not men...It could be anyone...I never wanted this for you. I work my whole life, I don't apologize; to take care of my family, and I refused to be a fool, dancing on the string held by all those bigshots. I don't apologize; that's my life, but I thought that, that when it was your time, that you would be the one to hold the strings: Senator Corleone; Governor Corleone. Well, it wasn't enough time, Michael. It wasn't enough time...Now listen, whoever comes to you with this Barzini meeting, he's the traitor. Don't forget that.

View Quote Just lie here, Pop. I'll take care of you now. I'm with you now. I'm with you.

View Quote [to Carlo Rizzi] You have to answer for Santino.

View Quote [to Clemenza, about Paulie] I want you to take care of that son of a bitch right away. Paulie sold out the old man, that stronz. I don't want to see him again. Make that first thing on your list, understand?

View Quote No, no, no! No more! Not this time, consigliere. No more meetin's, no more discussions, no more Sollozzo tricks. You give 'em one message: I want Sollozzo. If not, it's all-out war; we go to the mattresses.

View Quote Tom-anuch! Hey, a hundred button men on the street twenty-four hours a day. That Turk shows one hair on his ass and he's dead.

View Quote Leave the gun, take the cannoli.

View Quote Bonasera: I believe in America. America has made my fortune. And I raised my daughter in the American fashion. I gave her freedom, but I taught her never to dishonor her family. She found a boyfriend; not an Italian. She went to the movies with him; she stayed out late. I didn't protest. Two months ago, he took her for a drive, with another boyfriend. They made her drink whiskey. And then they tried to take advantage of her. She resisted. She kept her honor. So they beat her, like an animal. When I went to the hospital, her nose was a'broken. Her jaw was a'shattered, held together by wire. She couldn't even weep because of the pain. But I wept. Why did I weep? She was the light of my life, a beautiful girl. Now she will never be beautiful again. I went to the police, like a good American. These two boys were brought to trial. The judge sentenced them to three years in prison - suspended sentence. Suspended sentence! They went free that very day! I stood in the courtroom like a fool. And those two bas****, they smiled at me. Then I said to my wife, for justice, we must go to Don Corleone.

View Quote Virgil "the Turk" Solozzo: Sonny was hot for my deal, wasn't he? And you knew it was the right thing to do...you gotta talk some sense into him. The Tattaglia family is behind me with all their people. The other New York families will go along with anything that will prevent a full-scale war. Let's face it, Tom, and all due respect. The Don, rest in peace, was slippin'. Ten years ago could I have gotten to him? Well, now he's dead. He's dead, Tom, and nothing can bring him back. So you gotta talk to Sonny and the other two kids; you gotta talk to the 'capo' regimes, that Tessio and Fat Clemenza. It's good business, Tom... let me worry about Luca. I don't like violence, Tom. I'm a business man. Blood is a big expense.

View Quote Don Corleone: Why did you go to the police? Why didn't you come to me first?
Bonasera: What do you want of me? Tell me anything, but do what I beg you to do.
Don Corleone: What is that? [Bonasera whispers his request in the Don's ear] That I cannot do.
Bonasera: I will give you anything you ask.
Don Corleone: We've known each other many years, but this is the first time you ever came to me for counsel or for help. I can't remember the last time that you invited me to your house for a cup of coffee, even though my wife is godmother to your only child. But let's be frank here. You never wanted my friendship. And uh, you were afraid to be in my debt.
Bonasera: I didn't want to get into trouble.
Don Corleone: I understand. You found paradise in America, you had a good trade, you made a good living. The police protected you and there were courts of law. And you didn't need a friend like me. But uh, now you come to me and you say - 'Don Corleone, give me justice.' But you don't ask with respect. You don't offer friendship. You don't even think to call me Godfather. Instead, you come into my house on the day my daughter is to be married, and you ask me to do murder for money.
Bonasera: I ask for justice.
Don Corleone: That is not justice. Your daughter is still alive.
Bonasera: Let them suffer then, as she suffers. How much shall I pay you?
Don Corleone: Bonasera, Bonasera. What have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully? If you'd come to me in friendship, then this s**** that ruined your daughter would be suffering this very day. And if by chance an honest man like yourself should make enemies, then they would become my enemies. And then they would fear you.
Bonasera: Be my friend - - Godfather. [The Don shrugs. Bonasera bows toward the Don and kisses the Don's hand]
Don Corleone: Good. Someday, and that day may never come, I'll call upon you to do a service for me. But until that day - accept this justice as a gift on my daughter's wedding day.
Bonasera: Grazie, Godfather.
Don Corleone: Prego.

View Quote Don Corleone: [to Sollozzo] I must say no to you, and I'll give you my reasons. It's true. I have a lot of friends in politics, but they wouldn't be friendly very long if they knew my business was drugs instead of gambling, which they rule that as a - a harmless vice. But drugs is a dirty business...It makes, it doesn't make any difference to me what a man does for a living, understand. But your business, is uh, a little dangerous.
Sonny: Aw, you're telling me that the Tattaglias guarantee our investment?
Don Corleone: I have a sentimental weakness for my children, and I spoil them, as you can see. They talk when they should listen.
[Sollozzo leaves after the Don wishes him luck]
Don Corleone: [to Sonny] Whatsa matter with you? I think your brain's goin' soft ...Never tell anybody outside the family what you're thinking again.

View Quote Sollozzo: Tom! Tom Hagen! Merry Christmas! He, I'm glad I run into you.
Tom Hagen: Well, I haven't got time.
Sollozzo: Aw, make time, consiglieri. Get in the car. What are you worried about? If I want to kill you, you'd be dead already. Get in.