Nick Apuzzo > Quotes

“Everyone in 'the life' was brutal by necessity and most by nature as well, however some were also intelligent. Of course, intelligence itself was also not enough. If you expected to survive in the environment you had to think ahead, had to have a plan; the intelligent and prepared outlived the strong and careless.”
― Nick Apuzzo, Connected.

“What did do I have to lose by listening?”
― Nick Apuzzo, Connected.

“First lesson, never show weakness. They take from you, you take it back with interest, and you hurt them so bad they won't think about doing it a second time. If you don't, you invite everyone else to do the same thing to you. Word gets around.”
― Nick Apuzzo, Connected.

“Colui che è fedele non è mai sconfitto. (One who is loyal is never defeated.)”
― Nick Apuzzo, Reconnected

“Violence was seen by wiseguys as a tool to get what you want and only occasionally to vent your anger. It was not seen as a plus or a minus, it was just part of the landscape.”
― Nick Apuzzo, Connected.

“Breaking balls, it's not just a job, it's a lifestyle.”
― Nick Apuzzo, Connected.

“The people that surround you in 'the life' are people who don't have much in the way of a moral compass.”
― Nick Apuzzo, Connected.

“The rules were brutally enforced; the only reason people in the family didn't lie, cheat and steal from each other more than they already did, was that it would cost them their money or their heads.”
― Nick Apuzzo, Connected.

“A family's structure is paramilitary, and commanding it is the Capofamiglia, commonly referred to as simply the 'Boss', absolute ruler with unquestioned life or death authority over everyone in the organization. At his side is his Consigliere, an advisor chosen for his loyalty, knowledge of the family business, and political strength internal to the family's alliances and factions. The Boss's second-in-command, the Sotto Capo or 'Underboss', has power that varies depending on the man holding the position. The Underboss more closely runs the day to day activities of the organization and acts as a buffer between the Boss, who gives the orders, and the people responsible for carrying them out. The Underboss is the successor to the Boss in the event of his death, or his representative on the street if the Boss is imprisoned and chooses to run the organization from his cell. The Underboss directly controls a group of Capo Régimes, usually referred to as Capos or Captains; these are the family's middle level managers who run groups of Soldiers, or 'crews'. Since only the Boss, Underboss and Consigliere are above the rank of Capo, it's a powerful position; a Soldier at odds with his Capo is a Soldier with a severely limited life expectancy. Finally, the people who rely on a Soldier's protection and power to conduct their business, yet are not members of the organization, are known as 'connected' guys. To a connected guy, a made guy is his Boss, his agent and his police, all rolled into one; of course in some cases he may also turn out to be his judge, jury and executioner.”
― Nick Apuzzo, Connected.

“Survival on the streets required that you be respected and a large part of that street credibility was based upon the perception that you were capable of bringing sudden violence or death upon a rival without hesitation or remorse.”
― Nick Apuzzo, Connected.