The Public Enemy Quotes

Context

This line is spoken by Tom Powers, played by James Cagney, in the film The Public Enemy, directed by William A. Wellman (1931).

Movies have their trendy heroes, so over the years we've seen cowboys, superheroes, businessmen, and of course, gangsters. Set just after the Great Depression, we're talking Prohibition, desperate times, and desperate measures. Think Wolf of Wall Street, but in 1930.

So if you're into gangsters, this classic film starring James Cagney as Tom Powers is just the ticket. Like most gangsters of his day, Powers thought he was invincible, so when he utters this line in the pouring rain after having just barely survived a shootout, it's a wake-up call to audiences that no one lives forever, and the law always catches up.

Where you've heard it

This phrase pops up here and there, but it's a little rare for people to be quoting Prohibition-era movies nowadays.

Could be a stretch, but Heart has a song called "You Ain't So Tough."

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

We'll say this one's neutral, but it's all about the delivery. How good is your James Cagney impression? If you can pull off a good Cagney, this quote is totally justified.