Sollozzo: Bene, Don Corleone. I need a man who has powerful friends. I need a million dollars in cash. I need, Don Corleone, all of those politicians that you carry around in your pocket, like so many nickels and dimes.

Don Corleone: What is the interest for my family?

Sollozzo: Thirty percent. In the first year your end should be three, four million dollars. And then it would go up.

Don Corleone: And what is the interest for the Tattalgia family?

Sollozzo: [smiles at Tom] My compliments. [Hagen gives a formal nod]

Sollozzo: I'll take care of the Tattaglias, out of my share.

Don Corleone: So, I am to receive thirty percent for finance, for legal protection and political influence. Is that what you're telling me?

Sollozzo: That's right.

Don Corleone: Why come to me? What have I done to deserve such generosity?

Sollozzo: If you consider a million dollars in cash merely finance... [raises his glass]

Sollozzo: Te salut, Don Corleone. [the Don gets up to take a drink and sits closer to Sollozzo]

Don Corleone: I said that I would see you because I had heard that you were a serious man, to be treated with respect. But I must say no to you and let me give you my reasons. It's true I have a lot of friends in politics, but they wouldn't be so friendly if they knew my business was drugs instead of gambling which they consider a harmless vice. But drugs, that's a dirty business.

Sollozzo: No, Don Corleone...

Don Corleone: It makes no difference, it don't make any difference to me what a man does for a living, you understand. But your business is a little dangerous.

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

Sonny: Whoa, now, you're telling me that the Tattaglias guarantee our investment without...?

Don Corleone: Wait a minute. [the Don gives his son a cold stare, freezing Santino into silence. The others fidget with embarrassment at this outbreak, but Sollozzo looks slyly satisfied...dismissive] I have a sentimental weakness for my children and I spoil them, as you can see. They talk when they should listen. Anyway, Signor Sollozzo, my no to you is final. I want to congratulate you on your new business and I'm sure 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 is going soft with all that comedy you are playing with that young girl. Never tell anyone outside the Family what you are thinking again. Go on.”

Explore more quotes:


About the author

This page was created by our editorial team. Each page is manually curated, researched, collected, and issued by our staff writers. Quotes contained on this page have been double checked for their citations, their accuracy and the impact it will have on our readers.

Kelly Peacock is an accomplished poet and social media expert based in Brooklyn, New York. Kelly has a Bachelor's degree in creative writing from Farieligh Dickinson University and has contributed to many literary and cultural publications. Kelly assists on a wide variety of quote inputting and social media functions for Quote Catalog. Visit her personal website here.

Kendra Syrdal is a writer, editor, partner, and senior publisher for The Thought & Expression Company. Over the last few years she has been personally responsible for writing, editing, and producing over 30+ million pageviews on Thought Catalog.