The mafia's "consumers" are quite cynical about it and know that mafia protection is often not a good but a lesser evil. Some are even aware that the mafia has done much to destroy whatever trust might have developed independently. Yet, although the use of private protection may appear objectionable in principle, in practice it is often a sensible option for certain individuals.

Diego Gambetta, The Sicilian Mafia The Busi…, loc. 14