Film director Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather definitely makes it to the list of the best movies of all time. The cult classic has set the tone for every mobster film since. With that in mind, it was only a matter of time until we collected some of the most iconic The Godfather quotes and presented them to you.
Hence, if you’re looking for a careful selection of the internet’s favorite quotes from The Godfather, including excerpts from books that never made it to the big screen, we hope the list below will fulfill that need.
Starring Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone, the head of a fictitious New York crime family, and Al Pacino as Michael Corleone, his youngest son, some of the most famous movie quotes on the list are credited to those two. However, a comrade of the family, Amerigo Bonasera, the consigliere, and head lawyer Tom Hagen, among many others, also make up a large portion of memorable lines throughout the story.
With the story’s focal point set on family relationships, it shouldn’t be surprising that some of the best Godfather quotes are also quotes about family. These short snippets from the movies’ dialogues and the books can give insight into all the essential issues presented in the story and the lessons the viewer may take from it. Be it family, power, crime, justice, or masculinity-related, the most famous Godfather quotes cover it all.
So without further ado, let’s hop into what you came here for and explore some of the most quotable lines sourced from the movies and the books. And while you are going through the list, don’t forget to upvote the quotes you liked the most. Also, let us know which movie (or part of the movie) was your favorite!
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“I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.” - Don Vito Corleone
What's the most famous Godfather line?
The most famous Godfather line is also the most famous quote uttered by a gangster and one of the best movie quotes to this date. The line “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse,” delivered by Marlon Brando in the first movie, The Godfather (1972), is so powerful because it almost sounds innocent.
What does "an offer he can't refuse" mean?
“An offer he can’t refuse” sounds like a good deal. However, we soon learn that it’s not actually an offer that is too good to pass up but a command that, if not followed, may not end so well for the person on the other end.
What was Michael Corleone's famous line?
“It’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business” might be the most famous Michael Corleone line. The scene to which this renowned line belongs is arguably one of the most memorable of the entire Godfather trilogy: the moment Michael shoots McClusky and Sollozzo fundamentally alters his personality.
How he changed people’s perceptions of himself while carrying out the plan was astounding. This Michael Corleone quote marked the beginning of the cunning leader Michael would become as the head of the family.
“Great men are not born great, they grow great.” - Don Vito Corleone
“A friend should always underestimate your virtues and an enemy overestimate your faults.” - Don Vito Corleone
“I have learned more from the streets than in any classroom.” - Don Vito Corleone
"Don't tell me that you're innocent. Because it insults my intelligence and it makes me very angry." - Michael Corleone
“Leave the gun, take the cannoli.” - Peter Clemenza
"I hope their first child be a masculine child." - Luca Brasi
Apparently he botched the speech that he was supposed to give but they left it as it was since it added a touch of realism
"I have a sentimental weakness for my children and I spoil them, as you can see. They talk when they should listen." - Don Vito Corleone
“The strength of a family, like the strength of an army, lies in its loyalty to each other.” - Don Vito Corleone
"Mr. Corleone is a man who insists on hearing bad news at once." - Tom Hagen
“You can do anything but never go against the family.” - Don Vito Corleone
Also, this explains some of Michael's actions in II that are considered questionable.
"You talk about vengeance. Is vengeance going to bring your son back to you? Or my boy to me?" - Don Vito Corleone
“Some day and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me.” - Don Vito Corleone
“If anything in this life is certain, if history has taught us anything, it is that you can kill anyone.” - Michael Corleone
“My father assured him that either his brains or his signature would be on the contract.” - Michael Corleone
"In Sicily, women are more dangerous than shotguns." - Calo
“That’s my family, Kay. It’s not me.” - Michael Corleone
"Fredo, you're my older brother, and I love you. But don't ever take sides with anyone against the Family again. Ever." - Michael Corleone
"I made my bones when you were going out with cheerleaders!" - Moe Greene
Actually, I believe the line was "...when you were banging cheerleaders"
"What's the matter with you? I think your brain is going soft with all that comedy you are playing with that young girl." - Don Vito Corleone
"Tell your boss he can ask for anything else, but this is one favor I can't grant him." - Jack Woltz
"I swear, on the souls of my grandchildren, that I will not be the one to break the peace we have made here today." - Don Vito Corleone
"Tom, this is business and this man is taking it very, very personal." - Santino "Sonny" Corleone
“The lawyer with the briefcase can steal more money than the man with the gun.” - Don Vito Corleone
“Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgment.” - Michael Corleone
“I don’t like violence, Tom. I’m a businessman. Blood is a big expense.” - Virgil “The Turk” Sollozzo
“Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes.” - Peter Clemenza
"I refused to be a fool dancing on the strings held by all of those big shots." - Don Vito Corleone
“Friendship is everything. Friendship is more than talent. It is more than the government. It is almost the equal of family.” - Don Vito Corleone
"I'm going to leave you now because I know that you are busy on this, the day of your daughter's wedding." - Luca Brasi
“When a plot against the Emperor failed... the plotters were always given a chance... to let their families keep their fortunes. Right?” - Tom Hagen
Keep your friends close your enemies even closer - Michael Corleone
Difficult to understand the eligibility for comment! They are what they are - classic!
Difficult to understand the eligibility for comment! They are what they are - classic!
