or at least a bit dramatic. I can't remember his name, but he's the Don from Detroit. He was described friend of the Corleones, but considered weak himself.

So the comment was considered frivolous by his colleagues. They all thought that way. They weren't sophisticated at all. Most of them with the exception of maybe Barzini and the West Coast dons were peasants.

So, that line never bothered me within the context of the story.

It might provide a window into Puzo's mind though, or it might just be something he heard a relative say and thought it'd be dope to have a character say.

The Godfather is my favorite book, and since that specific line isn't the point of the book I take it with a grain of salt.