25 Al Capone Quotes That Reveal the Mind of the Famous Mob Boss

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Many people are fascinated by famous figures from history, and one name that always stands out is Al Capone. His life was full of drama, power, and controversy. Al Capone quotes give us a closer look into the thoughts of one of the most well-known men in American history.

Al Capone, also called "Scarface," was born in 1899 in Brooklyn, New York. He became famous during the Prohibition era, when alcohol was banned in the United States. He built a strong criminal empire that controlled many businesses, including the illegal alcohol trade.

He was not only known for crime but also for his influence in Chicago. Capone’s name was connected to violence, gang wars, and even charity work for the poor. Despite his criminal activities, he became a symbol of power and wealth. Al Capone quotes often show both the dangerous and clever side of his personality.

In this article, we will share some famous Al Capone quotes we have collected from various sources, Tuesday (27/8/2025). These quotes give us a look at the thoughts of one of history’s most well-known criminals.

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Famous Al Capone Quotes

1. "Prohibition has made nothing but trouble."

2. "A crook is a crook, and there's something healthy about his frankness in the matter. But any guy who pretends he is enforcing the law and steals on his authority is a swell snake. The worst type of these punks is the big politician. You can only get a little of his time because he spends so much time covering up that no one will know that he is a thief. A hard-working crook will-and can-get those birds by the dozen, but right down in his heart he won't depend on them-hates the sight of them."

3. "I'm a kind person, I'm kind to everyone, but if you are unkind to me, then kindness is not what you'll remember me for."

4. "I am like any other man. All I do is supply a demand."

5. "You accomplish more with a smile, a handshake, and a gun than you do with just a smile and a handshake."

6. “Be careful who you call your friends. I’d rather have four quarters than one hundred pennies.”

7. “You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone.”

8. “Capitalists believe they can take everything at the table as belonging to them. Capitalism is the legitimate racket of the ruling class.”

9. "They can't collect legal taxes from illegal money."

10. "Hell must be a pretty swell spot, because the guys that invented religion have sure been trying hard to keep everybody else out."

11. "Some call it bootlegging. Some call it racketeering. I call it a business."

12. "I got nothing against the honest cop on the beat. You just have them transferred someplace where they can't do you any harm. But don't ever talk to me about the honor of police captains or judges. If they couldn't be bought they wouldn't have the job."

13. "When I sell liquor, it's bootlegging. When my patrons serve it on a silver tray on Lakeshore Drive, it's hospitality."

14. "I am sick and tired of publicity. I want no more of it. It puts me in a bad light. I just want to be forgotten."

15. "This American system of ours, call it Americanism, call it capitalism, call it what you will, gives each and every one of us a great opportunity if we only seize it with both hands and make the most of it."

16. "I have built my organization upon fear."

17. "Now I know why tigers eat their young."

18. "Vote early and vote often."

19. “Do I do business with Canadian racketeers? I don't even know what street Canada is on.”

20. "My rackets are run on strictly American lines and they're going to stay that way."

21. "It's a racket. Those stock market guys are crooked."

22. "They've hung everything on me except the Chicago fire."

23. "I've been accused of every death except the casualty list of the World War."

24. “If you ever meet that guy give him a punch in the nose with my compliments.”

25. “I make money by supplying a public demand. If I break the law, my customers…of the best people in Chicago are as guilty as me.”