Vito was an old school gentleman, and he used his demeanor to his advantage. This doesn't change the fact that beneath that was a detemined man who would go to whatever lengths necessary to have his way. Look at Luca Brazi's back story in the novel to get an idea of what Vito allowed.
"Io sono stanco, sono imbigliato, and I wan't everyone here to know, there ain't gonna be no trouble from me..Don Corleone..Cicc' a port!"
"I stood in the courtroom like a fool."
"I am Constanza: Lord of the idiots."
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