"...all it takes is a little confidence."
The Sting - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
What was I supposed to do - call him for cheating better than me, in front of the others?
— Doyle Lonnegan
Context:
Spoken to his bodyguard, Floyd, after the high-stakes poker game on the train. Floyd is certain that Gondorff cheated to win, but Lonnegan explains with frustration why he couldn't expose him, setting the stage for his desire for revenge against the man he knows as "Shaw."
Meaning:
This line perfectly encapsulates Lonnegan's arrogance and the nature of the criminal world they inhabit. He acknowledges he was out-cheated but is more concerned with his reputation than the loss of money. It also highlights the brilliance of Gondorff's strategy: to cheat so skillfully that the victim cannot call it out without incriminating himself.
He's not as tough as he thinks.
— Johnny Hooker
Context:
Hooker says this while observing Lonnegan from a distance, trying to build up his confidence. Gondorff's immediate, sobering reply grounds him, emphasizing the high-stakes and danger of the con they are about to undertake.
Meaning:
This quote, followed by Gondorff's reply, "Neither are we," establishes the central dynamic of the film. It's not about being tough in a physical sense, but about being smart. It's a reminder of their vulnerability and the need for meticulous planning over brute force, defining their entire approach to getting revenge.
You gotta keep his con even after you take his money. He can't know you took him.
— Henry Gondorff
Context:
Gondorff explains this core tenet of confidence games to Hooker early in their planning. It foreshadows the elaborate finale, where the faked deaths are designed specifically to sell the con to Lonnegan permanently and ensure he walks away without suspicion.
Meaning:
This line articulates the highest principle of the "big con." It's not enough to simply steal the money; the true art lies in ensuring the mark never realizes they were deceived. This philosophy is crucial to their survival, as Lonnegan's retaliation would be lethal if he ever discovered the truth.
You're right, it's not enough. But it's close!
— Johnny Hooker
Context:
This poignant exchange occurs after Hooker has decided to go after Lonnegan. It reveals the depth of his grief and his singular, all-consuming motivation for embarking on the dangerous con.
Meaning:
This line is a response to Luther telling him that revenge won't bring him back. It encapsulates Hooker's raw, emotional state. While he understands that revenge won't fix his loss, it's the only thing driving him and the closest he can get to a sense of justice or closure.