Many “the great American story has called the Godfather franchise.” It’s a multi-generational tale of families, betrayals and revenge.
There are so many life lessons from this epic film trilogy that we decided to compile a list of 25 powerful life lessons from The Godfather.
#25 – Don’t Underestimate Your Enemies
Never let your guard down around your enemies. Don’t let their size fool you because they can still hurt you if you give them the opportunity. If someone has it in for you, assume that they will act on it when given a chance.
Vito Corleone’s enemy, Don Fanucci, is a prime example. Fanucci was a cruel Mafia boss in New York City’s Little Italy. Vito watched him for some time and learned that his cruelty extended beyond the Italian community. Vito later found out that Fanucci extorted money from other ethnic groups because he had no boundaries.
When Don Fanucci showed his face in Vito’s territory one day, he said to him, “I hear you make a lot of money.”
Vito quickly realized the danger he was in and knew that Fanucci would try to take some of it. So while Fanucci sat at his table eating ravioli, Vito pulled out a handgun, walked over to him and shot him multiple times.
If you bring a gun to a knife fight, you best be prepared to use it. But don’t become complacent because an enemy may surprise you.
#24 – Leadership Requires Action
A natural leader doesn’t wait for someone else to solve the problem. They take the initiative instead of waiting to be told what to do.
Vito Corleone was a man of action, not words. For example, when he decided that it was time for Fanucci’s reign of terror to come to an end, Vito didn’t wait around, hoping other people would take care of it for him. Instead, he took the problem into his own hands.
Successful people know that the squeaky wheel gets the oil and take matters into their own hands instead of waiting for someone else to solve their problems.
#23 – Make Your Enemies Work For You
If you have enemies, don’t waste your energy trying to fight them. Instead, let them work for you by feeding off of each other’s insecurities and greed.
Vito Corleone was a master at making his enemies work for him by bringing the worst out of them. Their jealousy led to their demise, not Vito himself.
For example, he knew Sollozzo would underestimate him because he was a quiet man who chose his words carefully. Vito knew that Sollozzo would assume he was weak and an easy target, so he used it to his advantage.
Your enemies can motivate you by feeding off of your insecurities. So please don’t waste your energy trying to prove them wrong because they’re already insecure about their choice to go against you.
#22 – Your Reputation Is Important
The Godfather taught us that once you build your reputation, it’s essential to protect it at all costs.
Vito understood this because he had to work hard for his reputation. When you build a strong reputation, it’s like money in the bank. You may not see it, but others will and appreciate the value of it.
On the other hand, if you have a less than favourable reputation, you will find yourself working twice as hard to prove yourself.
#21 – Revenge Can Be Sweet
Don’t tell me the ending! Read the book instead! Who was Cheech? Did he do what I think he did?
Your answer to the first question is that he was a Russian gangster. As for the second question, I couldn’t tell you because I haven’t read the book yet.
What we can be sure of is that revenge is sweet and justifiable in certain circumstances. Just don’t get too wrapped up in it and lose track of the original goal.
#20 – Know Who You’re Dealing With
Never try to screw over a man who buys his suits from the same place you buy your cigars.
Hagen knew this when he told Sonny to not kill Moe Greene because of their long-standing business relationship. In business, it’s crucial to be able to distinguish between dissent and treason.
One is done out of spite. The other is done for greed. Treat them differently because one can lead to your downfall while the other can be used as an opportunity.
#19 – Appearances Can Be Deceiving
Your future is determined by what you do today, not tomorrow.
Hagen learned this when he saw his father throw away a still-full glass of whiskey. He knew that it wasn’t the best day but was worried about what would happen tomorrow.
The lesson is that you can’t look at appearances and make assumptions as everyone else does. So, for example, if Vito’s voice is soft and his brother’s voice is loud, you might assume that Vito is the one with the power.
Appearances can be deceiving, and it pays to look beyond first impressions.
#18 – Know Yourself And What You’re Capable Of
Never do business with someone who has more balls than you. Never take a job from someone who doesn’t have the guts to do it himself.
Vito learned this when Johnny Fontane approached him about getting him out of his Paramount contract. Vito knew Fontane didn’t have the gonads or muscle to accomplish it, so that’s why he took care of it himself.
It pays to know who you are and what you’re capable of. Never take a job or business deal that you can’t handle, and don’t try to do something outside of your expertise.
#17 – Keep Your Mouth Shut, Trust No One
Never tell people how to do things, just tell them what to do, and they’ll surprise you with their ingenuity.
Bonasera learned this lesson when Vito asked him to get the men who beat his daughter. Bonasera did it himself and then felt like he owed Vito a favour.
It’s easy to give up your power and let others make decisions for you, but we often end up getting back what we gave away in the long run.
Never tell people how to do things because you’ll end up resenting them for not doing it your way.
#16 – Keep Your Promises, No Matter What
Don’t make promises unless you know you can keep them. Never make promises without convincing yourself that it’s alright to break them if necessary.
Vito learned this lesson when he promised Don Corleone and was forced to keep it because of his mother. If you give your word, keep it even if the other person doesn’t know about it beforehand.
There’s a difference between keeping promises and fulfilling expectations. Never make a promise that you can’t fulfil or don’t have full intentions of following through with.
#15 – Take Risks And Keep Your Eye On The Prize
Don’t fear failure, but fear your own self-doubt more than anything else.
Tom Hagen discovered this when he didn’t follow his father’s orders to kill Sollozzo and McClusky. He knew it was too risky but didn’t want to challenge his father.
People who don’t take risks never meet their full potential because they’re always afraid of failure. However, the things that you lose when you fail can be regained in the end when you win.
Never be afraid to take a risk if it’s for a good cause, and you’re not just killing time.
#14 – Don’t Be Afraid To Step On Someone’s Toes
Never let your emotions control your decisions, especially when making deals and business deals because they’re cold and calculated.
Vito Corleone learned this lesson when he was forced to make peace with the heads of the other five crime syndicates. He promised things he wasn’t comfortable with but knew it was necessary to ensure his family’s safety.
People who are afraid to step on other people’s toes end up losing out in the end because they’re unwilling to do what has to be done to get what they want or need.
#13 – Fight For Your Beliefs And Do What You Know Is Right
Always fight for what you believe in and let the consequences come.
Michael Corleone learned this lesson when he decided to avenge his father’s death by killing everyone in the meeting at the Lake. Even though it was a rash decision, it was the most satisfying moment in his life.
People who don’t fight for what they believe in end up regretting it because they never took a stand and did what was right.
#12 – Do Your Research, Be Prepared For Anything
Don’t make assumptions and think everything will go as planned, especially when dealing with criminals and people willing to kill.
Fredo Corleone learned this lesson hard when he tried to cut a separate deal with Sollozzo without Michael’s help or knowledge. He was lucky that they spared his life, but it only made him look like an even bigger idiot in front of his older brother.
#11 – Stay Disciplined
Don’t lose your head over some woman, no matter how beautiful she may be, or the job will go to your brother.
A tragedy of Shakespearean proportions unfolds in The Godfather saga when Sonny Corleone takes his mistress up to his estate for a romantic tryst and refuses to let go of her hand when he sees a family friend. After getting angry with his wife for taking the girl away, Sonny is gunned down by Carlo Rizzi.
While the death was unintentional, it does provide one of those “be careful what you wish for” moments as it turns out that this woman is the Corleones’ downfall.
#10 – Make Sure You’re Able To Trust The People You Work With
Don’t have anything to do with rats because sooner or later, you’ll get eaten up if you do.
Especially if one rat tells another rat that you know all about them and you’re not to be trusted.
Fredo Corleone learned this the hard way when he ratted out Michael, expecting him to take care of his problems for him. Instead, it was Fredo who ended up getting killed because he couldn’t give up the family name and show faith in his brother’s ability to protect him.
#9 – At The End Of The Day, It’s All About Who You Know
Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.
Vito Corleone learned this lesson the hard way when he spurned Hyman Roth once they had made peace by refusing to let him invest in his business. Eventually, Roth turned against him and became a powerful rival.
To protect himself from harm, Vito was forced to let Roth in on his plans and give him a share of the profits.
#8 – Don’t Ever Underestimate Your Opponent’s Strength Or Abilities
Never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line.
Even though Sollozzo approached Vito Corleone to kill his rival, he refused because it would be too risky for himself and his family if things went sour.
Little does he know that this seemingly benign request will lead to his death and the end of his family’s power over New York City.
#7 – The Best Revenge Is Being Successful And Living Happily Ever After
Don’t get too preoccupied with getting even that you forget to live your life.
Michael Corleone learned this lesson after murdering two men for their involvement in his father’s death. But, unfortunately, while he got revenge, it didn’t bring his father back, and it ended up destroying his own life and that of everyone around him.
He spends the rest of the saga trying to find a way out of the business. But only to be dragged back in time and again.
#6 – There’s No Place For Mercy In This Line Of Work
Don’t let love cloud your judgment because that will be the death of you.
Once Michael Corleone falls in love with Kay Adams, he realizes that it’s time to get out of his family’s business. So he spends nearly two decades trying to separate himself from the criminal underworld and go legit.
However, he’s brought back down because of his wife’s murder by men who are working for him.
#5 – Don’t Forget Where You Come From Or Who Helped You Get To Where You Are
Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.
Michael Corleone learned this lesson the hard way when he turned his back on Hyman Roth after learning that he was involved with the attempt on his life. Because of his betrayal, Roth worked behind Michael’s back to take him down, which eventually led to the end of the Corleone family, as it had been known until that point.
#4 – You Don’t Have To Like Someone To Work Together With Them
Don’t be tricked into thinking that you need to like the people you work with because they can be still good at their jobs and useful to you.
Vito Corleone learned this lesson the hard way when he got rid of Tom Hagen because of his personal feelings. Although it would have made things easier for him to bring Tom back, he was more than capable of running his family’s business without him after Santino stepped up to take over as Don.
#3 – Don’t Always Make A Promise If You Don’t Intend To Keep It
While it can be satisfying to make promises when you’re angry, don’t do it unless you plan on following through with them.
Vito Corleone learned this lesson the hard way when he made a promise to Johnny Fontane to get him to stop asking for favours and keep him as a friend. But, unfortunately, he couldn’t help Johnny gain his movie career because it would have been suspicious and unwise for someone in the family business to do so.
#2 – Know When To Back Off And Let Someone Else Handle The Problem
Don’t be too prideful to ask for help now and then.
When Vito Corleone is shot during an attempt on his life, he realizes that he needs someone to take over, so he doesn’t lose all of his power and influence. So he brings in Tom Hagen as the family’s consigliere and leaves him in charge while he recovers.
Don Corleone is never seen as the head of his family again, leading up until he dies under suspicious circumstances.
#1 – You Need To Stay True To Yourself And The Life That You’ve Chosen
Remember who you are and where you came from because otherwise, it will be too easy to lose yourself.
Don Michael Corleone learned the hard way that he couldn’t simply leave his family behind, even though he’d been put through hell. He was constantly reminded of what might happen if he decided to walk away from them by people close to him who were aware of what could happen because they had seen it before. Ultimately, he could walk away but would never be able to escape his family’s legacy.
So in conclusion..,
It’s a good idea to take lessons from the Godfather movies because they can apply to many different parts of your life. For example, while it may be difficult, you should always walk away from violence and crime because of how dangerous it is. Also, it’s essential for family members to either like each other or work together. Otherwise, there’s too much tension.
Before you make promises, it’s essential to think about whether or not you can follow through on them. Then, when things get challenging and complicated, don’t be afraid to ask for help from the people who care about you most. As long as you know who you are and where your roots come from, you’ll be able to hold on to who you are at your core.
