In the book, Michael asserts:

Quote
Tom, don't let anybody kid you. It's all personal, every bit of business. Every piece of shit every man has to eat every day of his life is personal. They call it business. OK. But it's personal as hell. You know where I learned that from? The Don. My old man. The Godfather. If a bolt of lightning hit a friend of his the old man would take it personal. He took my going into the Marines personal. That's what makes him great. The Great Don. He takes everything personal Like God. He knows every feather that falls from the tail of a sparrow or however the hell it goes? Right? And you know something? Accidents don't happen to people who take accidents as a personal insult.


In The Godfather movie, Sonny accuses Michael of taking things personal, and Michael just responds, "It's not personal, Sonny. It's strictly business."

The first speech sets Michael apart from the others. It also foreshadows Vito's "bolt of lightning" speech at the peace conference. You could certainly edit out some of the passage, but why change it to the opposite sentiment?

Last edited by mustachepete; 10/29/19 11:32 PM.

"All of these men were good listeners; patient men."