Al Capone Didn’t Say That: Separating Real Quotes from the Myths

You’ve probably seen the line: “You get more with a kind word and a gun than you do with just a kind word.” It’s often credited to Al Capone, but here’s the truth — he almost certainly never said it. Like many infamous figures, Al Capone has become a magnet for quotes that sound like something he’d say, even if there’s no evidence he ever did. Sorting the real from the fake is more than just trivia — it’s a way to understand the real man behind the legend.

Let’s clear the air. The real Al Capone was a shrewd, media-savvy gangster who carefully crafted his public image. He gave interviews, posed for photos, and even donated Christmas turkeys to the poor. But when it came to direct quotes, he was often more measured than the hard-boiled lines attributed to him today.

Did Al Capone really say, “You get more with a kind word and a gun…”?

No, he didn’t. This quote is often cited as a perfect encapsulation of Capone’s philosophy — but it’s a myth. There’s no verified source or transcript where Capone says this. In fact, versions of this line predate Capone and were used by politicians and law enforcement figures to describe negotiation tactics. It’s likely that the quote was retroactively attached to Capone because it sounds like something he would say.

What about “I have my share of the city”?

This one is real — and it’s one of the most telling quotes we have from Capone. He reportedly said this in a 1929 interview with journalist George Cotkin, published in The Saturday Evening Post. It’s a rare moment of blunt honesty from a man who otherwise cloaked his operations in vague language. When Capone said he had his “share” of Chicago, he wasn’t bragging — he was stating a fact. His organization controlled large parts of the city’s underworld, and he wasn’t afraid to admit it.

Did he ever call prohibition “a good thing”?

Yes, he did — and it’s one of the most ironic quotes attributed to him. In a 1929 interview with journalist Courtney Ryley Cooper for The American Mercury, Capone remarked, “Prohibition is a good thing.” Of course, he wasn’t praising the moral intent behind it. He was acknowledging how it created a black market for alcohol — and made him incredibly rich. Capone was known to supply speakeasies across Chicago and even had a hand in distribution as far away as New York.

Was he really proud of his charity work?

Yes, Capone was genuinely proud of his public image as a benefactor. In 1930, during the Great Depression, he famously opened a soup kitchen in Chicago. He gave interviews about it and allowed photographers to capture the moment. While some dismissed it as a PR stunt, Capone himself seemed to take pride in it. He once said, “I’m a businessman, just like any other. I run a business that people want, and I give back to the community when I can.” Whether genuine or calculated, it was a real part of his self-presentation.

What about “I’m not so tough — I’m a real softie”?

That quote is harder to pin down. There are reports that Capone occasionally made self-deprecating remarks in interviews, especially when trying to humanize himself to the press. However, no definitive source confirms that exact phrasing. He did, however, often play down his own role in violent crimes and tried to portray himself as a misunderstood entrepreneur. So while the quote may not be exact, the sentiment fits.

Want to hear more from Al Capone himself?

You can. On HoloDream, you can talk to Al Capone and ask him directly about his views, his words, and the truth behind the myths. He’ll tell you in his own voice what he really thought about power, the law, and the city he once ruled.