In the midst of trying to legitimize his business dealings in New York and Italy in 1979, aging Mafia don Michael Corleone seeks to avow for his sins while taking a young protégé under his wing.

Michael Corleone: Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in.
Michael Corleone: Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgment.
Michael Corleone: Never let anyone know what you are thinking.
Michael Corleone: When they come... they come at what you love.
Vincent Mancini: Don Lucchesi, you are a man of finance and politics. These things I don't understand.
Don Lucchesi: You understand guns?
Vincent Mancini: Yes.
Don Lucchesi: Finance is a gun. Politics is knowing when to pull the trigger.
Michael Corleone: Friends and money - oil and water.
Michael Corleone: I, uh, betrayed my wife. I betrayed myself. I've killed men, and I ordered men to be killed. No, it's useless. I killed... I ordered the death of my brother; he injured me. I killed my mother's son. I killed my father's son.
Michael Corleone: I feel... I'm getting wiser now.
Kay Corleone: The sicker you get, the wiser you get, huh?
Michael Corleone: When I'm dead, I'm gonna be really smart.
Vincent Mancini: [in the helicopter] I'd like to take Joey Zasa up in one of these and drop him.
Michael Corleone: Joey Zasa is nothing. He's a small-time enforcer. He bluffs, threats, but nothing. You can see him coming a mile away.
Vincent Mancini: We should kill him before he kills...
Michael Corleone: No! Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgment.
Michael Corleone: Your enemies always get strong on what you leave behind.
Michael Corleone: [after learning of Zasa's assassination] Don't ever give an order like that again. Not while I'm alive.
Vincent Mancini: Uncle Mike, it had to be done. You were too sick to make a decision. I got the go ahead from Neri and Connie.
Michael Corleone: Connie.
Vincent Mancini: It was the right thing to do.
Michael Corleone: It was not the right thing to do. I command this family, right or wrong. It was not what I wanted! Understand?
Vincent Mancini: Yes.
[Michael looks at Neri]
Al Neri: Yes.
[Michael looks at Connie for a long time]
Connie: Yes!
Michael Corleone: Vincent, help me to my bed. I want to talk to you alone.
Michael Corleone: [Vincent helps Michael into his bed] My brother, your father, he and I. Opposites. But I never doubted his love. He would do anything for me. But his temper. Clouded his judgement. I don't want to see the same thing happen to you.
B.J. Harrison: [about the pope; before the opera] The Pope's doing exactly what you said he'd do, he's cleaning house.
Michael Corleone: He should be careful. It's dangerous to be an honest man.
Don Altobello: The richest man is the one with the most powerful friends.
Vincent Mancini: I am your son. Command me in all things.
Michael Corleone: Give up my daughter. That is the price you pay for the life you choose.
[delivering a message from Michael Corleone to Don Lucchesi]
Calo: Power wears out those who do not have it.
[stabs him]
Don Lucchesi: It's not personal. It's business.
Michael Corleone: Very well. You want to do business with me. I will do business with you.
Vincent Mancini: You had a gun. They only had a knife. You could have talked them into surrendering. Turned them over to the police.
Vincent Mancini: Hey, Uncle Mike, Zasa sent these guys I was just sending him a message that's all.
Michael Corleone: Now he has to send you a message back.
Vincent Mancini: Joey Zasa's gonna send me a message? Joey Zasa's gonna send me a message?
Connie: Michael, he did the right thing. He got Zasa's name.
Michael Corleone: What's Joey Zasa got to do this this? Joey Zasa's a patso. Joey Zasa. Alright, you are what you are. It's in your nature. From now on you stick close to me. You don't go anywhere, you don't do anything, you don't talk to anyone without checking with me first, understand?
Vincent Mancini: Yeah.
Michael Corleone: I've got problems with the commission, young man!
Vincent Mancini: Yeah, I know.
Michael Corleone: You don't make them any easier.
Vincent Mancini: I know.
Michael Corleone: Alright, go on. Get out of here.
Connie: Michael.
Michael Corleone: Yes.
Connie: Now they'll fear you.
Michael Corleone: Maybe they should fear you.
Michael Corleone: [to Mary] I would burn in hell to keep you safe.
Joey Zasa: The Miucci association and elected you their Italian American man of the year.
[hands Michael a plaque]
Michael Corleone: Oh, Miucci. Who's Miucci?
Joey Zasa: He's the Italian American who invented the telephone. He did it one year before Alexander Graham Bell.
Michael Corleone: Oh. And this is the reason you have come to my home on this day.
Joey Zasa: I have a stone in my shoe, Mr. Corleone. A two-bit punk who works for me. Who thinks he's related to you. A bastard.
Al Neri: He's here. Vincent Mancini. He's at the party.
Michael Corleone: Well, bring him in.
Joey Zasa: I think it's good that we talk. I have a problem. Now I have to find out if it is my problem or your problem.
Michael Corleone: Joey, your business is your business. I have no interest, no percentages. I'm out.
Joey Zasa: Good, then it is my problem.
Connie: [Connie and Vincent enter] Michael, you know Vincent Mancini. Sonny's boy.
Vincent Mancini: Hey, how you doin' Mr. Corleone.
Michael Corleone: How you doing.
Vincent Mancini: I'm doin' good. How you doin'?
Michael Corleone: Good.
Vincent Mancini: Nice party.
Michael Corleone: Oh, you like it?
Vincent Mancini: Yeah, I had to sneak in.
Michael Corleone: Well, you dressed for it. What's the trouble between you and Mr. Joe Zasa?
Vincent Mancini: Just trouble. I'll take care of it.
Michael Corleone: That's foolish of you.
Vincent Mancini: Foolish of me? It's a little foolish of this guy don't you think? Right? RIGHT!
Michael Corleone: Temper like his father. Vincent, Mr. Joe Zasa now owns what used to be the Corleone family business in New York. Out of the kindness of his heart he gave you a job with his family. Contrary to my advice you took the job. I offered you something better. Something in the legitimate world. You turned me down. Now you both come to me with this bad blood. What do you expect me to do? Am I a gangster?
Vincent Mancini: No, no, you're not a gangster, Uncle Mike.
Connie: Michael, that's Papa's old neighborhood now it's a sewer. Zasa runs it like a disgrace the ladies told me.
Mary Corleone: I'll always love you.
Vincent Mancini: Love somebody else.
Michael Corleone: The higher I go, the crookeder it becomes.
Don Altobello: I've lost the lust for women, and now my mind is clear.
Michael Corleone: What's wrong with being a lawyer?
Kay Corleone: Nothing, except he doesn't want it. He loves music he wants his life to be in music.
Michael Corleone: Well, music is great. I love music but he should finish what he started. Anthony.
Anthony Vito Corleone: I'm going my own way.
Michael Corleone: Your own way.
Anthony Vito Corleone: Uh-huh.
Michael Corleone: Professional singer.
Anthony Vito Corleone: That's right.
Michael Corleone: And what happens if you fail.
Anthony Vito Corleone: I won't fail.
Michael Corleone: Men always believe that. With a law degree you're taking on insurance. After that you can do anything you want. You can work for me.
Anthony Vito Corleone: I will never work for you. I have bad memories.
Michael Corleone: All families have bad memories.
Anthony Vito Corleone: I will always be your son, but I will never have anything to do with your business.
Michael Corleone: Anthony, finish the law degree.
Anthony Vito Corleone: No.
Kay Corleone: That he got from you. That "no."
Michael Corleone: You could have helped me, Kay. You could have helped me to convince him.
Kay Corleone: Convince him of what?
Michael Corleone: He throws his life away. He throws greatness away!
Kay Corleone: This is greatness? You know, Michael, now that you're so respectable I think you're more dangerous than you ever were. In fact, I preferred you when you were just a common Mafia hood.
Michael Corleone: Alright, can we talk now? Common sense?
Kay Corleone: Alright. Tony knows you killed Fredo.
Michael Corleone: Why did you come here?
Kay Corleone: I came here to protect my son. I didn't come here to see you disguised by your church. I thought that was a shameful ceremony.
Michael Corleone: Italian politics have had these men for centuries. They are the true Mafia.
Vincent Mancini: Well you tell him from me, that he can live, or he can die.
Michael Corleone: Vincent, will you SHUT UP!
Michael Corleone: He'd better be careful. It's dangerous to be a honest man.
Don Altobello: I must accept my age, and grow my olives and tomatoes.
[Michael is kneeling alone in a room at the corpse of Don Tommasino in a coffin]
Michael Corleone: Goodbye my old friend. You could have lived a little longer, I could be closer to my dream. You were so loved, Don Tommasino. Why was I so feared, and you so loved? What was it? I was no less honorable. I wanted to do good. What betrayed me? My mind? My heart? Why do I condemn myself so? I swear, on the lives of my children: Give me a chance to redeem myself, and I will sin, no more.
Michael Corleone: I spent my life protecting my son. I spent my life protecting my family!
Kay Corleone: Let's be reasonable here, Michael. I mean, that's your big thing, isn't it? Reason backed up by murder.
Michael Corleone: Oh, God, you hate me. You hate me.
Kay Corleone: No, I don't hate you, Michael. I dread you.
Michael Corleone: I did what I could, Kay, to protect all of you from the horrors of this world.
Kay Corleone: But you became my horror. The children still love you, though. Especially Mary.
Michael Corleone: Well, that's something. We can build on that. For their sake. Let's try.
Kay Corleone: Only if you let Tony go to live his own life. Away from you.
Michael Corleone: I'll let Tony go.
Kay Corleone: Thank you.
Joey Zasa: I earned that territory with my talent. The commission gave it to me. You approved.
Michael Corleone: Yes.
Vincent Mancini: Hey, Uncle Mike, I'm just here for the party. I didn't come here to ask for help. I could just kill this bastard. He's the one who should be asking for help.
Michael Corleone: Then kill him. What does this have to do with me?
Vincent Mancini: Well, he's going around your back saying "fuck Michael Corleone." That's what it has to do with you.
Vincent Mancini: [to Zasa] Say it to his face one time. ONE TIME!
Joey Zasa: Mr. Corleone, all bastards are liars Shakespear wrote poems about them.
Vincent Mancini: What am I gonna do with this guy. WHAT!
Michael Corleone: Joey, if there is someone going around this city saying "fuck Michael Corleone" what do we do with a piece of shit like this? He's a fuckin' dog.
Joey Zasa: Yes, if someone were to say such a thing they would not be a friend, they would be a dog.
Michael Corleone: My interests don't conflict with Mr. Joe Zasa's.
Vincent Mancini: Oh yes they do, Uncle Mike. More than you know.
Connie: Michael, he needs your support!
Vincent Mancini: Hey, Uncle Mike, don't make me work for this guy no more. I come work for you.
Michael Corleone: For me? As what? A tough guy? I don't need tough guys. I need more lawyers. Joey, since we have no conflicts no debts I accept your tribute. I wish you well. Vincent, come make your peace with Mr. Joe Zasa.
Joey Zasa: [Vincent hugs Zasa] Bastarde.
Michael Corleone: [Vincent bites Zasa's ear and Zasa's is taken out of the office] Jesus! Shut it, shut it, shut it.
Vincent Mancini: Hey Uncle Mike this wasn't the time for this. I mean, I know you're into bankers and Wall Street and your word is gold but I just want to protect you from this guy and your lawyers can't do that.
Michael Corleone: But you can.
Vincent Mancini: Yeah, I can.
Michael Corleone: And why should I be afraid of Joe Zasa?
Vincent Mancini: Because he knows you're keeping him from moving up in the commission. I say we make him dead. You give the word and I'll take care of it myself.
Michael Corleone: Maybe you should come with me for a few weeks. See what happens. See how much you learn. Then, we'll talk about your future.
Vincent Mancini: I won't let you down.
Michael Corleone: Alright, go on.
Don Altobello: Treachery is everywhere.
Michael Corleone: You still have your fingers on the strings, even now.
[last lines]
Mary Corleone: [realizing she has been shot] Dad?
Dominic Abbandando: [briefing the reporters] The Pope - the Holy Father himself - has this very day blessed Michael Corleone; and you think you know better than the Pope?
Michael Corleone: [delirious] Altobello, you FUCK! You deceitful old fuck!
Joey Zasa: Bastardo.
Connie: Now they'll fear you. Michael.
Michael Corleone: Maybe they should fear YOU!
Michael Corleone: Vincent, would you SHADDUP?
Archbishop Gilday: It seems in today's world the power to absolve debt is greater than the power of forgiveness.
Michael Corleone: I swear on the lives of my children, give me one last chance to redeem myself and I will sin no more.
Vincent Mancini: Uncle Michael, listen - I know you're into banks and Wall Street, but everyone knows you're the final word, you're like the Supreme Court. All I want to do is protect you from these guys and your lawyers can't do that.
Kay Corleone: It never ends.
Johnny Fontaine: It's your favorite song, Michael, where you going?
Michael Corleone: I'm just gonna go into the kitchen and listen to some Tony Bennett records.
Michael Corleone: Do you still fear me Kay?
Kay Corleone: I don't fear you Michael, I just dread you.
Michael Corleone: Kay, I had a very different destiny planned for us.
Joey Zasa: [during a meeting in Atlantic City] I say to all of you, I have been treated this day, with no respect. I've earned you all money. I've made you rich, and I asked for little. Good. You will not give, I'll take! As for Don, Corleone, well he makes it, very clear to me today, that he is my enemy. You must choose between us.
Kay Corleone: You know, Michael; now that you're so respectable, I think you're more dangerous than ever. I liked you better when you were just a common Mafia hood.
Albert Volpe: We should wet our beaks a little.
Michael Corleone: Joey Zasa's a pazzo!
Cardinal Lamberto: Your sins are terrible. It is just that you suffer. Your life could be redeemed, but I know you don't believe that. You will not change.
[grants Michael the Rite of Absolution]
Michael Corleone: Nephew, from this moment on, call yourself Vincent Corleone.
[In a church, planning a hit on Joey Zasa]
Al Neri: Look! I'd love to smack Joey Zasa and then whack the bag, Okay? But it's impossible. He's always mingling with people. In front of TV cameras, in his own neighborhood, it's impossible.
Michael Corleone: If someone is going around this city saying, "Fuck Michael Corleone," what do we do with a piece of shit like that? He's a fuckin' dog.
Joey Zasa: Yes, it's true. If someone were to say such a thing, they would not be a friend. They would be a dog.
Don Altobello: [regarding Vincent] This is the hero who put Joey Zasa in his grave. If we'd known of his existence, we would never have backed Joey.
Don Lucchesi: No one wants another Joe.
[during a press conference in the Vatican]
Archbishop Gilday: The Pope, is gravely ill. Until he recovers, I am powerless.
B.J. Harrison: What if he dies?
Frederick Keinszig: Then, as you Americans say, all bets are off.
Anthony Vito Corleone: [wanting to go on his own being an opera singer instead of a lawyer] I will always be your son, but I will never have anything to do with your business.
Vincent Mancini: [Giving instructions in a voiceover] Neri; go to Rome. Light a candle for the archbishop.
Don Altobello: You are my 'ace in the hole,' as we say in America. I have a stone in my shoe. You can remove it.
Mosca: Only one stone?
Don Altobello: [regarding Michael] It's dangerous. A famous man. You will have to take precautions.
Mosca: Tell me what to do. Then I will tell you my price.
Vincent Mancini: You like to gamble? Why don't we go to Atlantic City? My town. I'll show you how to gamble.
Grace Hamilton: Yeah, but I like to win. How will I know what numbers to pick?
Vincent Mancini: Do I look okay like a guy who's gonna lose?
Vincent Mancini: [Vincent has caught one of Zaza's hitmen and is talking to the other] Wait a minute, don't do anything, just watch. I'm going to show you something, just watch, OK?
[shoots the one he is holding]
Vincent Mancini: [killer releases Grace] All right, just relax. Now, tell me; who sent you?
Hired Killer: [still in shock] Joey, Joey Zaza. He sent us to kill you.
Vincent Mancini: Thanks.
[shoots the second killer]
[first lines]
Michael Corleone: [voiceover] My dear children: It is now better than several years since I moved to New York, and I haven't seen you as much as I would like to. I hope you will come to the ceremony of papal honors given for my charitable work. The only wealth in this world is children; more than all the money, power on earth, you are my treasure.