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Mickey Cohen Quotes

Powerful Mickey Cohen for Daily Growth

About Mickey Cohen

Mickey Cohen (Michel Cohen), born on October 29, 1913, in Brooklyn, New York, was an American gangster who rose to prominence as a leading figure in organized crime during the mid-20th century. Often associated with Los Angeles and the West Coast, Cohen began his criminal career in New York City before moving westward to evade prosecution. Cohen's life was significantly influenced by his early experiences with street gangs in Brooklyn, which provided him a tough and ruthless upbringing. He was also profoundly impacted by his mentor, Bugsy Siegel, who introduced Cohen to the inner workings of organized crime in Los Angeles. Cohen made his mark in the criminal underworld during the Prohibition era, where he worked as a rum runner and extortionist. However, it was his involvement with Meyer Lansky's syndicate that truly propelled him into the upper echelons of organized crime. In 1947, Cohen took control of Siegel's Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas following Siegel's murder, a move that cemented his power and influence on the West Coast. Throughout the 1950s and 60s, Cohen was linked to numerous illegal activities, including gambling, extortion, narcotics trafficking, and labor racketeering. Despite numerous attempts by law enforcement, Cohen managed to evade conviction for much of his criminal career. It wasn't until 1961 that he was finally arrested and sentenced to prison for income tax evasion. In 1973, Cohen pleaded guilty to racketeering and narcotics charges, which led to another lengthy prison sentence. Cohen passed away on July 29, 1976, at the age of 62 due to complications from bladder cancer. His life story has been immortalized in various media outlets, including the book "The Last Gangster" by Troy Soares and the film "Mickey Cohen: The Private Life of the Infamous Mob Boss" by Robert Ferrigno.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs."

The saying "You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs" is a metaphor suggesting that achieving something, especially something worthwhile or desirable, often requires causing some inconvenience, trouble, or minor harm along the way. In other words, progress and success frequently necessitate taking calculated risks or making necessary sacrifices.

"The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion."

This quote suggests that the best approach towards living in a restrictive or oppressive society is to attain such a high degree of personal freedom and self-determination that one's mere existence serves as a form of resistance against the confines of that society. By living authentically, following one's passions, and making choices outside the prescribed boundaries, an individual can challenge the status quo in a profound way. It encourages people to pursue freedom not just physically, but also emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually, thereby serving as a beacon of rebellion against any form of societal constraints.

"I don't want to be alone, but I don't want to die either."

This quote highlights a complex emotional state where Mickey Cohen desires companionship, but at the same time acknowledges the risk of harm or death that comes with involvement in his line of work. It suggests a deep longing for human connection, yet fear of losing one's life in the process, perhaps reflecting the solitary nature and potential dangers faced by those in criminal underworlds.

"I was never afraid of the law. I just didn't like it very much."

Mickey Cohen's quote suggests that he did not fear legal consequences, but rather had a dislike or distaste for the law itself. This could indicate that his actions were outside the bounds of what is considered lawful, yet he didn't worry about potential punishment because he operated with a level of impunity or felt powerful enough to evade it. His disdain for the law might stem from his criminal activities and the fact that the law as it was applied to him was not fair or just in his eyes.

"I am not a saint, but I have led an honorable life."

This quote suggests that although Mickey Cohen may not possess the conventional virtues traditionally associated with sainthood (such as altruism or humility), he has lived a life guided by principles of honesty, integrity, and moral standards that are generally respected in society, hence, "an honorable life." The quote implies self-awareness about his past actions, acknowledging that they may not meet the highest ethical ideals but finding value and justification in his chosen path.

I started rooting - you know, sticking up joints - with some older guys. By now I had gotten a taste of what the racket world really was - the glamour, the way they dressed, the way they always had a pocketful of money.

- Mickey Cohen

Some, Rooting, Gotten, Glamour

I got a kick out of having a big bankroll in my pocket. Even if I only made a couple hundred dollars, I'd always keep it in fives and tens so it'd look big.

- Mickey Cohen

Big, Always, Tens, Pocket

I didn't kill anyone that didn't deserve killing in the first place.

- Mickey Cohen

Deserve, Place, Anyone, First Place

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