31 quotes
Value of Life and Money
Mr. Goodkat
Because it seems to me that your son is worth more to you alive than he is to the Boss dead. And more money is worth more to me than less money.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Life's Complexity Beyond Simple Existence
Mr. Goodkat
Sorry about that, son. But sometimes there's more to life than just livin'. Besides, you can't have a Kansas City Shuffle without a body.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Importance of Recognizing Lies
The Rabbi
If there's one thing I know, is when someone is lying. A man in my position, that's all he has to go on. To know a lie when he hears it: the difference between life and death... your own... someone else's. That being said, he wasn't lying.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Identifying the Target in Conversation
Sloe
The guy we lookin for. His name is uh, his name is-
Elvis
His name is Nick, man.
Sloe
Nick, yeah. The cat's name is Nick. Now who, who are you?
Slevin
I'm Slevin.(Sloe mutters the name confused for a minute)
Sloe
You got some ID?(Short pause)
Slevin
You see the funny thing about that is I got mugged this morning-
Sloe
Hey! Tell it to the one-legged man, so he can bump it off down the road.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Finality of Death
Slevin Kelevra
You can only kill me once.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Deadly Misunderstanding Unfolds
Slevin
Someone's trying to kill you.
Yitzchok
Who?
Slevin
Me.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Self-Reflection on Height Perception
Lindsey
I'm short for my height.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Assassin's Insight into Discovery
Slevin
How did you find out about us?
Mr. Goodkat
I'm a world-class assassin, fuckhead. How do you think I found out?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Nature of Sense and Choice
The Boss
I knew you had sense.
[''after Slevin has just told him he'll take the job killing the Rabbi's son'']
Slevin
Sense is something you have when you have a choice.
The Boss
Sometimes, and sometimes it's when you know you don't.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Duality in Choices and Identity
Slevin Kelevra
I'm gonna say what any man with two penises would say, when his tailor asks him if he dresses right or left... Yes.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Lessons on Handling Insults and Persistence
The Rabbi
My father used to say: "The first time someone calls you a horse you punch him on the nose, the second time someone calls you a horse you call him a jerk but the third time someone calls you a horse, well then perhaps it's time to go shopping for a saddle.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Questioning Motives and Relationships
The Rabbi
Since we're not friends and you hate baseball, then why the fuck are you here?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Origin of the Nickname "the Fairy
The Boss
They call him "the Fairy"...
Slevin
Why do they call him "the Fairy"?
The Boss
Because he's a fairy.
[impatiently]
Slevin
What, he's got wings, he can fly, he sprinkles magic dust all over the place?
The Boss
He's a homosexual.
[angrily]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Conversation About Identity and Obligation
The Rabbi
You must be Mr. Fisher.
Slevin
Must I be? Because it hasn't been working out for me lately.
The Rabbi
But I'm afraid you must.
Slevin
Well, if I must.
The Rabbi
Do you know why you've been brought here, Mr. Fisher?
Slevin
For starters, I'm unlucky.
The Rabbi
The unlucky are nothing more than a frame of reference for the lucky, Mr. Fisher. You are unlucky so that I may know that I am not. Unfortunately, the lucky never realize they are lucky until it's too late. Consider yourself for instance; yesterday you were better off than you were today, but it took today for you to realize it. But, today has arrived, and it's too late, you see? People are never happy with what they have. They always want what they had...what someone else has...
Slevin
Kind of like a rabbi who'd rather be a gangster or a gangster who'd rather be a rabbi? I mean, what is that, some kind of grass is greener on the other side of the fence'...thing? I mean, how do you justify being a rabbi and a gangster?
The Rabbi
I don't. I am a bad man who doesn't waste time wondering what could have been when I am what could have been and could not have been. I live on both sides of the fence; the grass is always green. Consider, Mr. Fisher, there are two men sitting before you; and one of them you should be very afraid of. Where is my money?
[pauses, slides tea tray aside]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Comment on Physical Appearance
The Boss
I bet it was that mouth that got you that nose.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Uncertainty Surrounds Authority Figure's Identity
Sloe
The Boss wants to see you.
Slevin
Who?
Sloe
The Boss.
Slevin
Who's the Boss?
Sloe
The guy we work for. Sit
Slevin
Look. I'm not the guy you're looking for. I don't live here.
Sloe
Yeah well you look like the guy who lives here.
Slevin
Man, you don't know what the guy who lives here looks like.
Elvis
What he means to say is that you look like you live here.
Sloe
Yeah, that's what I mean to say.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Betrayal and Loss in Slevin's Words
Slevin Kelevra
The two of you killed everything I ever loved. (Pause) Fuck you both.
[To the Rabbi and the Boss]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Appreciation for Sweetness
Lindsey
Thanks for the sugar, sugar.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Dinner Plans After Work
Lindsey
I was thinking that if you're still alive when I get back from work tonight... maybe we could go out to dinner or something?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Stark Revelation of Loss
The Boss
Look at me. Look at my smile. Your son is dead.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confrontation Over Orders and Identity
Elvis
Wait, wait, wait. Look Nick, Slevin, Clark Kent, whatever the fuck your name is. The Virgin Mary herself could come waltzin in here right now with her fine ass titties hangin out and everything and if she told me your name was Jesus Christ, I still got to take you to see the Boss. You know why?
Slevin
No.
Elvis
Orders. And you do know what orders is right?
Slevin
I think I understand the concept of-
Elvis
Orders is "Orders" (but is said in an Ebonics for to really say all there is "Or-der-is".
Slevin
I guess no one ever taught you not to use the word you're defining in the definition.
Elvis
Say somethin else. I will break your motherfucking nose. I ain't playin with you.
Slevin
My nose is already broken.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Curiosity in Uncertain Conversations
Slevin
Anything else you want to tell me?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Ironic Family Dynamics in Organized Crime
Lindsey
How ironic.
Slevin
I know, I don't even gamble.
Lindsey
No. A mobster with a gay son. Now that's ironic.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Misunderstandings in Unexpected Situations
Slevin's Girlfriend
This is an accident.
[''after Slevin walks in on her cheating on him'']
Slevin
What, like... He tripped, you fell?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Unexpected Stories and Their Surprising Outcomes
Mr. Goodkat
Charlie Chaplin entered a Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest in Monte Carlo and came in third. Now that's a story. This... is something else.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Perception of Luck and Regret
The Rabbi
The unlucky are nothing more than a frame of reference for the lucky, Mister Fisher. You are unlucky, so I may know that I am not. Unfortunately the lucky never realize they are lucky until it's too late. Take yourself for instance; yesterday you were better off than you are today but it took today for you to realize it. But today has arrived, and it's too late... You see? People are never happy with what they have. They want what they had. Or what others have...I'm a bad man who doesn't waste time wondering what could've been when I am what could've been and what could not have been. I live on both sides of the fence, and the grass is always green.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Loss and Its Harsh Realities
The Boss
This was my son. Notice how I said was? That's because he's dead. Relegated to the past tense. Went from an is to a was before he had his breakfast.
[''Showing a picture'']
Slevin
Bummer.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Moral Dilemmas in Life and Death
The Rabbi
There are three things one may not do to save a life including his own. He may not: idol-worship, commit adultery, or perform an act of premeditated murder. Killing you before you killed me would be...
Slevin
Kosher?
The Rabbi
Acceptable.
[scathing noise]
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Identity and Expectations in Dialogue
Brikowski
Who are you?
Slevin
Philosophically speaking?
Slevin
Rank, serial number?
Dumbrowski
You should really play ball kid.
Slevin
Really? You think I'm tall enough?
Brikowski
What is your name?
Slevin
Oh yeah, now I remember, Slevin Kelevra.
[''gasping for breath'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Profanity in Moments of Frustration
Nick
Fuck. Shit. Jesus.
Mr. Goodkat
Fuck, Shit, Jesus is right.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confusion Over Identity and Authority
Slevin
Who are you?
The Boss
I'm The Boss.
Slevin
I thought he was The Boss.
The Boss
Why? Do we look alike?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.