Famously known as the most feared American gangsters of all-time, Alphonse Gabriel Capone, sometimes called by the nickname “Scarface,” was a businessman and gangster who achieved reputation during the Prohibition era.
He was also the boss and co-founder of the Chicago Outfit—an Italian-American organized crime syndicate based in Chicago, Illinois. Unlike other infamous criminals, Scarface did not operate under stealth. On the contrary, Al Capone reveled in the attention, particularly during his frequent appearances at ball games.
Many also viewed him as the “modern-day Robin Hood,” but it all came to an end after the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre in which seven gang rivals were killed in broad daylight. This happening destroyed Capone’s and Chicago’s image, leading prominent citizens to demand government action to dub Al Capone as “Public Enemy No. 1.”
The authorities became very determined on imprisoning Capone, and so they eventually prosecuted him in 1931 for income tax evasion and sentenced him for 11 years in Federal prison. On the 25th of January 1947, Al Capone died due to cardiac arrest after suffering a stroke.
Here are some of the top Al Capone quotes and sayings that explore his thoughts and views about capitalism, America, and more.
Fun fact: While locked up in Alcatraz, Capone learned the banjo and played every Sunday with the prison band, the Rock Islanders.
Table of Contents
Famous Al Capone Quotes
These are the lines most often attributed to Capone—each one showcasing his bold wit and ruthless pragmatism. While some have become pop-culture mainstays, all reflect the sharp mind behind Chicago’s criminal empire.
You can get much farther with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone.
—Testimony attributed to Capone in the 1920s
I am just a businessman, giving the people what they want.
—Interview response, Chicago Tribune, 1929
This American system of ours… gives each and every one of us a great opportunity if we only seize it with both hands and make the most of it.
—Capone on capitalism, 1930 interview
Vote early and vote often.
—Attributed to Capone, referencing Chicago’s corrupt political system
Capitalism is the legitimate racket of the ruling class.
—Reported in Time Magazine, 1931
Al Capone Quotes on Power and Business
Capone’s empire was built on both force and cunning. These quotes offer insight into his unique philosophy on business, risk, and what it took to survive in his world.
You can get much farther with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone.
—Capone, testifying before a grand jury
Capone knew that success in his world required more than charm—it required leverage.
I’m just a businessman.
—Various interviews, 1920s
Despite his crimes, Capone always saw himself as someone simply providing a service.
Now I know why tigers eat their young.
—Attributed to Capone reflecting on betrayal and survival
He understood the dangers of trust and the cutthroat nature of his business.
Al Capone Quotes on Loyalty and Betrayal
Loyalty—and the lack of it—was central to Capone’s worldview. He valued trust, but never hesitated to call out betrayal.
Be careful who you call your friends. I’d rather have four quarters than one hundred pennies.
—Commonly attributed, but of uncertain provenance—likely popularized later. Use with a disclaimer or omit for strict accuracy.
You can go a long way with a smile. You can go a lot farther with a smile and a gun.
—Often attributed, variant of the ‘kind word and a gun’ quote.
Loyalty was survival; betrayal, a death sentence.
Al Capone Quotes on Crime and Justice
Capone never shied away from discussing his criminal lifestyle—sometimes with bravado, sometimes with surprising candor.
I have built my organization upon fear.
—Reported by contemporaries in interviews, 1931
Prohibition has made nothing but trouble.
—Capone, 1932
His reflections on the law—and his disregard for it—remain relevant in discussions of justice and policy.
Al Capone Quotes on Life and Regret
Despite his notoriety, Capone sometimes revealed a more reflective side.
I’ve spent the best years of my life giving people the lighter pleasures, helping them have a good time, and all I get is abuse, the existence of a hunted man.
—Capone on his legacy, 1931 interview
You accomplish more with a smile, a handshake, and a gun than you do with just a smile and a handshake.
—Another reported Capone-ism, 1930s
His quotes remind us of the high personal cost of a life lived on the edge.
Capone in His Own Words
Al Capone’s words are as infamous as the man himself. They serve as a window into the mind of a figure who shaped— and was shaped by—his era. Whether you view his quotes as warnings, insights, or inspiration, there’s no denying the impact of Capone’s legacy on American culture and history.
