Don Vito Corleone quotes from The Godfather (1972)

Don Vito Corleone

Never let people out of the family know what you are thinking again.

Don Vito Corleone

I'm a little worried about this Sollozzo fellow...Go to the Tattaglias and make them think that you're not too happy with our family. And find out what you can.

Don Vito Corleone

Each man has his own destiny.

Don Vito Corleone

I want no inquiries made. I want no acts of vengeance. I want you to arrange a meeting, with the heads of the Five Families. This war stops now.

Don Vito Corleone

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.

Don Vito Corleone

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.

Don Vito Corleone

I never thought you a bad consigliere. I thought Santino was a bad don, rest in peace.

Don Vito Corleone

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.

Don Vito Corleone

Never get angry. Never make a threat. Reason with people.

Don Vito Corleone

I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse.
Note: ranked #2 in the American Film Institute's list of the top 100 movie quotations in American cinema.

Don Vito Corleone

A lawyer with his briefcase can steal more than a hundred men with guns.

Don Vito Corleone

Some day, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me. Until that day accept this justice as a gift on my daughter's wedding day.

Don Vito Corleone

Revenge is a dish that tastes best when it is cold.

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 scum 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.

Johnny Fontane

A month ago, he bought the movie rights to this book. A best seller - and the main character, it's a guy just like me, I, uh, I wouldn't even have to act, just be myself. [tearing up] Oh, Godfather, I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do.

Don Corleone

You can act like a man!

Don Corleone

What's the matter with you? Is this how you turned out? A Hollywood finocchio that cries like a woman.

Don Corleone

What can I do? What can I do? What is that nonsense. Ridiculous. You spend time with your family?

Johnny Fontane

Sure I do.

Don Corleone

Good. 'Cause a man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man. Come here...You look terrible. I want you to eat. I want you to rest a while. And in a month from now, this Hollywood bigshot's gonna give you what you want.

Johnny Fontane

It's too late, they start shooting in a week.

Don Corleone

I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse. Now, you just go outside and enjoy yourself, and uh, forget about all this nonsense. I want you, I want you to leave it all to me.

Don Corleone

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.

Don Corleone

Whatsa matter with you? I think your brain's goin' soft ...Never tell anybody outside the family what you're thinking again.

Don Corleone

Andiamo, Fredo. Tell Paulie to get the car. We're going.

Fredo

Okay, Pop, I'll have to get it myself, Pop. Paulie called in sick this morning.

Don Corleone

Huh?!

Fredo

Paulie's a good kid, I don't mind getting the car.

Don Corleone

Ah, Aspetto, Fredo. Going to buy some fruit.

Fredo

Okay, Pop.

Don Corleone

Where's Michael? [loudly] Where's Michael?

Tom Hagen

It was Michael who killed Sollozzo, but he's safe and we're starting to work to bring him back.

Don Corleone

How did things ever get so far? I don't know. It was so unfortunate, so unnecessary. Tattaglia lost a son and I lost a son. We're quits. And if Tattaglia agrees, then I'm willing to let things go on the way they were before.

We're all grateful to Don Corleone for calling this meeting. We all know him as a man of his word. A modest man who will always listen to reason.

Yes, Barzini, he is too modest. He had all the judges and politicians in his pocket and refused to share them.

Don Corleone

When, when did I ever refuse an accommodation? All of you know me here. When did I ever refuse, except one time? And why? Because I believe this drug business is gonna destroy us in the years to come. I mean, it's not like gambling or liquor, even women, which is something that most people want nowadays and it's forbidden to them...by the church. Even the police departments have helped us in the past with gambling and other things. They're gonna refuse to help us when it comes to narcotics. And I believe that then - and I believe that now.

Times have changed. It's not like the old days when we could do anything we want. A refusal is not the act of a friend. Don Corleone had all the judges and the politicians in New York and he must share them...He must let us draw the water from the well. Certainly, he can present a bill for such services. After all, we are not Communists...

Don Corleone

I hoped that we would come here and reason together. And as a reasonable man, I'm willing to do whatever's necessary to find a peaceful solution to these problems.

Then we are agreed. The traffic in drugs will be permitted, but controlled, and Don Corleone will give up protection in the East - and there will be the peace.

But I must have strict assurance from Corleone. As time goes by and his position becomes stronger, will he attempt any individual vendetta?

Look, we are all reasonable men here. We don't have to give assurances as if we were lawyers.

Don Corleone

You talk about vengeance. Is vengeance gonna bring your son back to you and my boy to me? I forgot all the vengeance in my son. But I have selfish reasons. [after saying that Michael is returning to the U.S.] I'm a superstitious man, and if some unlucky accident should befall him, if he should get shot in the head by a police officer, or if he should hang himself in his jail cell, or if he's struck by a bolt of lightning, then I'm going to blame some of the people in this room. And that, I do not forgive. But that aside, let me say that I swear on the souls of my grandchildren, that I will not be the one to break the peace that we have made here today.

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 boy friend. 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 broken. Her jaw was 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. [sobs] Sorry. 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 and suspended sentence. Suspended sentence! They went free that very day! I stood in the courtroom like a fool, and those two bastards, they smiled at me. Then I said to my wife, "For justice, we must go to Don Corleone."

Vito

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.

Vito

What is that?

Bonasera

I want them dead.

Vito

That I can't do.

Bonasera

I will give you anything you ask.

Vito

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.

Vito

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. You didn't need a friend like me. But, 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.

Vito

That is not justice. Your daughter is still alive.

Bonasera

Let them suffer then, as she suffers. How much shall I pay you?

Vito

Bonasera... Bonasera. What have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully? If you'd come to me in friendship, then that scum 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. [kisses Vito's hand]

Vito

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.

Vito

Prego. [Bonasera leaves; to Tom] Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all, we're not murderers, in spite of what this... undertaker thinks.

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.

Tom

When I meet with the Tattaglia people, should I insist that all his drug middlemen have clean records?

Vito

Mention it. Don't insist. Barzini is a man who'll know that without being told.

Tom

You mean Tattaglia?

Vito

Tattaglia's a pimp. He never could've outfought Santino, but I didn't know until this day that it was... Barzini all along.

Vito

I knew that Santino was gonna have to go through all this, and Fredo, well, Fredo was...but I never - I never wanted this for you. I worked my whole life - I don't apologize - to take care of my family. And I refused to be a fool dancing on a string held by all of those big shots. I don't apologize. That's my life, but I thought that when it was your time, that you would be the one to hold the strings. Senator Corleone. Governor Corleone. Something.

Michael

Another pezzonovante.

Vito

Well, there wasn't enough time, Michael. Wasn't enough time.

Michael

We'll get there, Pop. We'll get there.