Sollozzo quotes from The Godfather (1972)

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.

Sollozzo

Your boss is dead. I know you're not in the muscle-end of the family, Tom, so I don't want you to be scared. I want you to help the Corleones, and I want you to help me. Yeah, we got him outside his office just about an hour after we picked you up. Drink it. So now it's up to you to make the peace between me and Sonny. Sonny was hot for my deal, wasn't he? And you knew it was the right thing to do.

Tom Hagen

Sonny'll come after you with everything's he got.

Sollozzo

That'll be his first reaction, sure. That's why 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, you gotta talk to the caporegimes, that Tessio and that Fat Clemenza. It's good business, Tom.

Tom Hagen

I'll try, but even Sonny won't be able to call Luca Brasi off.

Sollozzo

Yeah, well, let me worry about Luca. You just talk to Sonny and the other two kids.

Tom Hagen

I'll try my best.

Sollozzo

Good. Now, you can go. I don't like violence, Tom. I'm a business man. Blood is a big expense.

Michael

What I want - what's most important to me - is that I have a guarantee: No more attempts on my father's life.

Sollozzo

What guarantees could I give you, Mike? I am the hunted one! I missed my chance. You think too much of me, kid - I'm not that clever. All I want is a truce.

Virgil Sollozzo

Don Corleone. I need a man who has powerful friends. I need a million dollars in cash. I need those politicians that you carry in your pocket, like nickels and dimes.

Vito

What is the interest for my family?

Sollozzo

30%. In the first year your end should be three, four million dollars. And then it would go up.

Vito

And what is the interest for the Tattaglia family?

Sollozzo

...My compliments. I’ll take care of them, out of my share.

Vito

So I receive 30% for finance, political influence and legal protection?

Sollozzo

That’s right.

Vito

Why do you come to me? Why do I deserve this generosity?

Sollozzo

If you consider a million dollars in cash just finance... te salud, Don Corleone.

Vito

I said that I would see you, because I heard you were a serious man, to be treated with respect. [sits next to Sollozzo] But, uh, 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 regard 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.

Sollozzo

If you're worried about security for your million, the Tattaglias will guarantee it.

Sonny

Oh, you're telling me that the Tattaglias guarantee our investment?

Vito

Wait a minute. I have a sentimental weakness for my children, and I spoil them, as you can see. They talk when they should listen. But anyway, Signor Sollozzo, my "no" is final and I wish to congratulate you on your new business. I know you'll do very well, and good luck to you, especially since your interests don't conflict with mine. Thank you. [Sollozzo leaves] Santino, come here. What's the matter with you? I think your brain's going soft from all that comedy you're playing with that young girl. Never tell anybody outside the family what you're thinking again.