The Godfather

Memorable Movie Snapshot Quotes

I believe in America. America has made my fortune.

She was the light of my life. Beautiful girl. Now she will never be beautiful again.

Then I said to my wife, "For justice, we must go to Don Corleone."

Why did you go to the police? Why didn't you come to me first? I can't remember the last time you invited me for a cup of coffee.

You found Paradise in America. You made a good living, had police protection and there were courts of law. You didn't need a friend like me. But now you come to me and 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.

How much shall I pay you? Bonasera, Bonasera. What have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully?

How much shall I pay you? Bonasera, Bonasera. What have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully?

Some day, and that day may never come, I'll ask a service of you. But until that day accept this justice as a gift on my daughter's wedding day.

How did he do that? Made him an offer he couldn't refuse. What was that? Luca Brasi held a gun to his head, and father said that either his brains or his signature would be on the contract.

Because a man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man.

Do we give your son-in-law something important? Never. Give him a living, but never discuss the family business with him.

I know New York's big lawyers. Who are you? I have a special practise. I handle one client.

Corleone is Johnny's godfather. To the Italian people that's a very sacred, close relationship.

He never asks a second favour when he's been refused the first.

Maybe your car can take me to the airport. Mr. Corleone insists on hearing bad news immediately.

I said that I would see you, because I heard you were a serious man, to be treated with respect.

But, I must say no to you. And I'll give you my reason. It's true, I have a lot of friends in politics. They wouldn't be friendly long if I was involved in drugs instead of gambling, which they regard as a harmless vice, but drugs is a dirty business.

I have a sentimental weakness for my children, and I spoil them. They talk when they should listen.

I know you'll do well, and good luck. Especially since your interests don't conflict with mine. Thank you.

Arthur Seldom : His conclusion was that the only perfect crime that exists is not the one that remains unsolved but the one which is solved with the wrong culprit.

We are mediocre, and all mediocre people can do is... get drunk and forget.

Your brain is going soft from playing with that girl. Never tell anybody outside the family what you're thinking again.

I'm a little worried about this Sollozzo fellow. Find out what he's got under his fingernails.

Make them think that you're not too happy with our family and find out what you can.

What are you worried about? If I wanted to kill you, you'd be dead already.

I know you're not in the muscle end of the family, so don't be scared.

I don't like violence, Tom. I'm a businessman. Blood is a big expense.

They hit him with five shots, and he's still alive! That's bad luck for me, and bad luck for you if you don't make that deal.

If we lose the old man, we lose the political contacts and half our strength.

Take care of that son-of-a-bitch. Paulie sold out the old man. Make that the first thing on your list. Understood.

Why don't you tell that nice girl you love her? I love you with all my heart. If I don't see you again soon, I'm going to die!

They shot my father... Even that was business, not personal.

Put your hand in your pocket, like you have a gun. You'll be all right.

Then business will have to suffer. Do me a favour. No more advice on how to patch things up. Just help me win.

So when Sollozzo is being guarded, he's invulnerable. Nobody has ever gunned down a New York police captain.

They'll search me when I meet them, right? So I can't have a weapon on me. But if Clemenza can figure out a way to have a weapon planted there for me then I'll kill them both.

Nice college boy. Didn't want to get mixed up in the family business. Now you want to shoot a police captain because he slapped you?

I left it noisy, so it scares away any pain-in-the-ass innocent bystanders.

Let your hand drop to your side and let the gun slip out. Everybody will still think you've got it. They'll stare at your face, so walk out fast, but don't run. Don't look anybody in the eye, but don't look away either. They'll be scared stiff, so don't worry about nothing.

I said that I would see you, because I heard you were a serious man, to be treated with respect.

But, I must say no to you. And I'll give you my reason. It's true, I have a lot of friends in politics. They wouldn't be friendly long if I was involved in drugs instead of gambling, which they regard as a harmless vice, but drugs is a dirty business.

You'll be all right. You'll take a vacation, nobody knows where,

All the other families will probably line up against us. These things have to happen every five, 10 years. Gets rid of the bad blood. Been 10 years since the last one. You have to stop them at the beginning.

I have to go to the bathroom. Is it all right? When you got to go, you got to go.

And also the other families. There's been a lot of bad blood. They hit us, so we hit them back.

War is costly. We can't do business.

Neither can they. Don't worry about it! We can't afford a stalemate. No more stalemate. I'll kill the bastard!

Papa never talked business at the table.

Your enemies know you're here.

They shot Sonny on the causeway. He's dead. 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.

Young people don't respect anything any more... times are changing for the worse.

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 as before.

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

Because I believe this drug business will destroy us in the years to come. It's not like gambling or liquor or even women, which is something that most people want, but is forbidden by the Church.

I believed that then and I believe that now.

A refusal is not the act of a friend.

If Don Corleone had all the judges and politicians, then he must share them or let others use them. He must let us draw the water from the well.

They can't resist. I want to control it as a business, keep it respectable. I don't want it near schools, I don't want it sold to children.

We are all reasonable men. We don't have to give assurances.

You talk about vengeance. Will vengeance bring your son back to you? Or my boy to me?

But I'm a superstitious man. If an unlucky accident should befall him, if he should be shot 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.

let me say that I swear on the souls of my grandchildren, that I will not be the one to break the peace we've made here today.

Should I insist that all of Tattaglia's drug middlemen have clean records? Mention it. Don't insist.

My father is no different than any other powerful man. Any man who's responsible for other people. Like a senator or president.

Because that's important, Kay. Because what's important is that we have each other. That we have a life together.

Michael has all my confidence, just as you do. But there are reasons why you must have no part in what is going to happen.

Moe loves the business. He never said nothing about selling..... I'll make him an offer he can't refuse.

You straightened my brother out? ... He was banging cocktail waitresses! Players couldn't get a drink.

I'm Moe Greene! I made my bones when you were out with cheerleaders.

You're my older brother, and I love you. But don't ever take sides with anyone against the family again. Ever.

No, not at all. It's an old habit. I spend my life trying not to be careless. Women and children can be careless, but not men.

I worked my whole life. I don't apologise for taking care of my family.

Now listen, whoever comes to you with this Barzini meeting, he's the traitor. Don't forget that.

How much shall I pay you? Only don't tell me you're innocent. Because it insults my intelligence. Makes me very angry.