He had long ago learned that society imposes insults that must be borne, comforted by the knowledge that in this world there comes a time when the most humble of men, if he keeps his eyes open, can take his revenge on the most powerful.
A man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man.
Let us be separated by wars and pestilence, death, madness but not by the passing of time.
We are a family, and the loyalty of the family must come before anything and everyone else. For if we honor that commitment, we will never be vanquished-but if we falter in that loyalty we will all be condemned.
I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.
God seemed to be having a hard time killing him, and he’d be damned if he was going to make the job easy for mere mortals.
It was a lie but he believed in telling lies to people. Truth telling and medicine just didn’t go together except in dire emergencies, if then.
Never let a domestic quarrel ruin a day’s writing. If you can’t start the day fresh, get rid of your wife.
Fredo you’re my older brother and I love you. But don’t ever take sides against the family...
I like to drink wine more than I used to. Anyway, I’m drinking more.
I believe in America. America’s made my fortune.
Our own death wish is our only real tragedy.
Every family has bad memories.
You can’t hide the thunderbolt. When it hits you, everybody can see it. Christ, man, don’t be ashamed of it, some men pray for the thunderbolt. You’re a very lucky fellow. – Calo.
Why should I be afraid now? Strange men have come to kill me ever since I was twelve years old.
Any man can turn traitor.
Michael could never remember his father ever having uttered a word about death, as if the Don respected death too much to philosophize about it.
Power wears out those who do not have it.
Take the gun. Leave the cannoli.
I find the only thing that really stands up, better than gambling, better than booze, better than women, is reading.
I want to tell you a story. I have no other vanity.