From the books ... Alcoholics Anonymous (Big Book) and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (12 & 12)
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to display the full page from the Big Book1.
... even a
benevolent association that had no ...
12&12 p.172,
Tradition Nine
Did anyone ever hear of a nation, a church, a political party, even a benevolent association that had no membership rules?
2.
... even a
first-rater in the heartbreaking struggle ...
12&12 p.122,
Step Twelve
In later life he finds that real happiness is not to be found in just trying to be a number one man, or even a first-rater in the heartbreaking struggle for money, romance, or self-importance.
3.
... even a
glass of beer do not ...
BB p.24,
There Is A Solution
The almost certain consequences that follow taking even a glass of beer do not crowd into the mind to deter us.
4.
... even a
glimpse of God's will, the ...
12&12 p.105,
Step Eleven
The moment we catch even a glimpse of God's will, the moment we begin to see truth, justice, and love as the real and eternal things in life, we are no longer deeply disturbed by all
the seeming evidence to
the contrary that surrounds us in purely human affairs.
5.
... even a
nodding acquaintance with humility as ...
12&12 p.70,
Step Seven
6.
... even a
recluse who denies himself both ...
12&12 p.43,
Step Four
Going to the extreme, he
can become a miser, or
even a recluse who denies himself both family and friends.
7.
... even a
small degree the assurance of ...
12&12 p.28,
Step Two
He cannot attain in even a
small degree the assurance of the believer, the agnostic,
or the atheist.
8.
... even a
week or a month ago.
BB p.24,
There Is A Solution
We are unable, at certain
times, to bring into our consciousness with sufficient force the memory of the suffering
and humiliation of even
a week or a month ago.
9.
... even a
willingness to believe in a ...
BB p.46,
We Agnostics
We found that as soon as we
were able to lay aside prejudice and express even a willingness to believe
in a Power greater than ourselves, we commenced
to get results, even though it was impossible for any of us to
fully define or comprehend that Power,
which is God.
10.
... even a
worthy one.
12&12 p.176,
Tradition Ten
As by some deep instinct,
we A.A.'s have known from the
very beginning that we must never, no matter what the provocation, publicly
take sides in any fight, even a worthy one.
11.
Even A.A.
oldtimers, sober for years, often ...
12&12 p.56,
Step Five
12.
... even against
organized religion.
BB p.49,
We Agnostics
We, who have traveled this dubious path, beg you to lay aside prejudice, even against organized religion.
13.
... even alcohol.
BB p.84,
Into Action
14.
... even alive,
unless he passes on to ...
12&12 p.133,
Tradition Two
Alone now, he reflects that he may not be able to stay sober, or even alive, unless he passes on to other alcoholics what was so freely given him.
15.
Even among
those who occasionally land back ...
BB p.570(572),
Appendix III, The Medical View on A.A.
Even among those who occasionally
land back in here again, we observe a profound change in personality.
16.
... even Bacchus
boomeranged on us; we were ...
12&12 p.57,
Step Five
17.
... even beer,
he might as well be ...
BB p.142,
To Employers
If he temporizes and still thinks he can ever drink again, even beer, he might as well be discharged after the next bender which, if an alcoholic, he is almost certain to have.
18.
Even before
our drinking got bad and ...
12&12 p.57,
Step Five
Even before our drinking got bad and people began to cut us off, nearly all of us suffered
the feeling that we didn't quite belong.
19.
... even begin
to suspect it had never ...
12&12 p.119,
Step Twelve
20.
... even blinder
than he.
12&12 p.109,
Step Twelve
Even the newest of newcomers finds undreamed rewards as he
tries to help his brother alcoholic, the one who is even blinder than he.
21.
... even calamity
turned to good use by ...
12&12 p.112,
Step Twelve
We know this because we see monotony, pain, and even calamity turned to good use by those who keep on trying to practice A.A.'s Twelve Steps.
22.
... even casual
reference to spiritual things made ...
BB p.48,
We Agnostics
Many of us have been so touchy that even casual reference to spiritual things made us bristle with antagonism.
23.
... even come
close to a solution.
12&12 p.27,
Step Two
In this respect they are certainly a power greater than you, who have not even come close to a solution.
24.
... even come
to mind.
BB p.5,
Bill's Story
25.
... even converted
to good use for others.
BB p.123,
The Family Afterward
Suppose we tell you some of
the obstacles a family
will meet; suppose we suggest how they
may be avoided -- even converted to good use for others.
26.
... even cowardly.
BB p.46,
We Agnostics
We were bothered with the thought that faith and dependence upon a Power beyond ourselves was somewhat
weak, even cowardly.
27.
... even dangerously
anti-social.
BB p.21,
There Is A Solution
Yet let him drink for a day, and he frequently becomes disgustingly, and even dangerously anti-social.
28.
... even do
the cause of temperate drinking ...
BB p.103,
Working With Others
We would not even do the cause of temperate drinking any good, for not one drinker in a thousand likes to be told anything about alcohol by
one who hates it.
29.
... even dreamed.
12&12 p.110,
Step Twelve
His own character may still be gravely defective, but he somehow
knows that God has enabled him to make a mighty beginning, and he
senses that he stands at
the edge of new mysteries, joys, and experiences of which he had never even dreamed.
30.
... even dreamed.
BB p.25,
There Is A Solution
We have found much of heaven and we have been rocketed into a fourth dimension of existence
of which we had not even dreamed.
31.
... even fewer
alcoholic lapses or emotional binges ...
12&12 p.38,
Step Three
32.
... even for
our work, shocked us.
12&12 p.184,
Tradition Twelve
33.
... even for
those of us who feel ...
12&12 p.110,
Step Twelve
There are many opportunities even for
those of us who feel unable to speak at meetings or who are so situated that we cannot do much face-to-face Twelfth Step work.
34.
... even further.
12&12 p.56,
Step Five
35.
... even further
than this.
12&12 p.105,
Step Eleven
36.
... even got
tight ourselves -- the drunk to ...
BB p.106,
To Wives
37.
Even greater
furors were provoked when A.A. ...
12&12 p.167,
Tradition Eight
Even greater furors were provoked when
A.A. members began to run rest homes and farms for alcoholics, when
some hired out to corporations as personnel men in charge of the alcoholic problem in industry, when
some became nurses on alcoholic wards, when others entered the field of alcohol education.
38.
... even greater
service to alcoholic sufferers and ...
BB p.34,
More About Alcoholism
The experiment of quitting for a period of time will be helpful, but we think we can
render an even greater service to alcoholic sufferers and
perhaps to the medical
fraternity.
39.
... even had
to coin a couple of ...
12&12 p.173,
Tradition Nine
They even had to coin a couple of sentences which
still go into half the letters they write: "Of course, you are at
perfect liberty to handle this matter any way you please.
40.
... even happy
under these conditions.
BB p.111,
To Wives
41.
... even highly
resentful that Alcoholics Anonymous has ...
12&12 p.118,
Step Twelve
After the husband joins A.A., the wife may become discontented, even highly resentful that Alcoholics Anonymous
has done the very thing that all her years of devotion had failed to do.
42.
Even if
he displays a certain amount ...
BB p.129,
The Family Afterward
Even if he displays a certain amount of neglect and irresponsibility towards the family, it is well to let him go as far as he likes in helping other alcoholics.
43.
... even if
he would.
BB p.57,
We Agnostics
44.
... even if
I could."
BB p.43,
More About Alcoholism
45.
... even if
I should do some drinking.
BB p.175,
Doctor Bob's Nightmare
46.
... even if
it be only a matter ...
BB p.141,
To Employers
47.
... even if
it means the loss of ...
BB p.146,
To Employers
If he is, and is still trying to recover, he will tell you about it even if it means the loss of his job.
48.
... even if
they did not love their ...
BB p.107,
To Wives
49.
... even if
they failed us, we could ...
12&12 p.116,
Step Twelve
50.
Even if
you feel your organization has ...
BB p.149,
To Employers
Even if you feel your organization has no alcoholic problem, it
might pay to take another look down the line.
51.
... even imperative.
BB p.143,
To Employers
For most alcoholics who are drinking, or who are just getting over a spree, a certain amount of physical treatment is desirable,
even imperative.
52.
... even impossible.
12&12 p.35,
Step Three
53.
... even in
his best moments, a producer ...
BB p.61,
How It Works
54.
... even in
our service centers.
BB xix,
Foreword to Second Edition
55.
... even in
part, we drank for oblivion.
12&12 p.71,
Step Seven
56.
Even in
the present century, American newspapers ...
BB p.51,
We Agnostics
Even in the present century, American newspapers were afraid to
print an account of the Wright brothers' first successful flight at Kitty Hawk.
57.
... even in
the worst of us, to ...
12&12 p.98,
Step Eleven
58.
... even in
their Sunday best.
12&12 p.30,
Step Two
We gloated over the hypocrisy, bigotry, and
crushing self-righteousness that clung to so many 'believers' even in their Sunday best.
59.
... even in
these cases, we may need ...
12&12 p.84,
Step Nine
60.
... even in
this type of beginning we ...
BB p.37,
More About Alcoholism
But even in this type of beginning we are obliged
to admit that our justification for a spree was insanely insufficient in the light of what always happened.
61.
... even in
those cases where such a ...
12&12 p.86,
Step Nine
And even in those cases where such a matter must be discussed, let's try to avoid harming third parties, whoever they may
be.
62.
Even inside
A.A. we found it imperative ...
12&12 p.157,
Tradition Six
63.
... even know
how to begin?
12&12 p.99,
Step Eleven
64.
... even made
a little money.
BB p.7,
Bill's Story
65.
... even modest
and self-sacrificing.
BB p.61,
How It Works
66.
... even more
at ease.
12&12 p.62,
Step Five
Before long, your listener may well tell a story or two about himself which will place you even more at ease.
67.
... even more
comfortable and secure.
12&12 p.36,
Step Three
68.
... even more
dangerous ground when we cry, ...
12&12 p.66,
Step Six
69.
Even more
important, an empty club couldn't ...
12&12 p.167,
Tradition Eight
Even more important, an empty club couldn't answer its telephone, but it was an
open invitation to a drunk on a binge who possessed a spare key.
70.
... even more
unapproachable than do the psychiatrist ...
BB p.18,
There Is A Solution
Strangely enough, wives, parents and intimate friends usually find us even more unapproachable than do the psychiatrist and the doctor.
71.
... even need
medical attention.
BB p.21,
There Is A Solution
If a sufficiently strong reason -- ill health, falling in love, change of environment,
or the warning of a doctor -- becomes operative, this man can also stop or moderate, although he may
find it difficult and troublesome and may even
need medical attention.
72.
... even of
their sleeping moments, and the ...
BB xxviii(xxvi),
The Doctor's Opinion
If any feel that as psychiatrists directing a hospital for
alcoholics we appear
somewhat sentimental, let them stand with us a while on the firing line, see the tragedies, the despairing wives, the little children; let the solving of these problems become a part of their daily work, and even of their sleeping moments, and the
most cynical will not wonder that we have accepted and encouraged
this movement.
73.
... even once,
you will have to decide ...
BB p.147,
To Employers
74.
... even one
publicly got drunk, or was ...
12&12 p.187,
Tradition Twelve
If even one publicly got drunk, or was lured into using A.A.'s name for his own purposes, the damage might
be irreparable.
75.
... even our
enemies, for we look on ...
BB p.70,
How It Works
We have begun to learn tolerance, patience and
good will toward all men, even our enemies, for we look on them as sick people.
76.
Even our
Foundation, once an independent board, ...
12&12 p.175,
Tradition Nine
77.
Even our
severest and most justified critics ...
12&12 p.84,
Step Nine
Even our severest and most
justified critics will frequently meet us more than halfway on the first trial.
78.
... even plain
ordinary whoopee parties.
BB p.101,
Working With Others
79.
... even prayed
rightly.
12&12 p.32,
Step Two
80.
... even purpose.
12&12 p.85,
Step Nine
But if we have prepared ourselves well in advance, such reactions will not deflect us from our steady
and even purpose.
81.
... even quite
a lot superior?
12&12 p.66,
Step Six
Who, for example, doesn't like to feel just a little superior to the next fellow, or even quite a lot superior?
82.
... even rewrite
school and medical textbooks.
12&12 p.155,
Tradition Six
People needed to be told what alcoholism was,
so we'd educate the public, even rewrite school and medical textbooks.
83.
... even sacrificed
good stories to this end.
12&12 p.183,
Tradition Eleven
84.
... even send
the Foundation a dollar apiece, ...
12&12 p.163,
Tradition Seven
I felt especially virtuous as I thought of
all the ex-drunks who wouldn't
even send the Foundation a dollar apiece, and here I was gladly making a five-dollar investment to fix a hangover.
85.
Even so
has God restored us all ...
BB p.57,
We Agnostics
86.
Even so,
when making specific requests, it ...
12&12 p.102,
Step Eleven
Even so, when making specific requests, it will be well to add to each one of them this qualification: "...if it be Thy will."
87.
... even sworn
off.
BB p.85,
Into Action
We have not even sworn off.
88.
... even that
hadn't been enough.
12&12 p.164,
Tradition Seven
The Foundation was really hard up just then; the groups weren't sending in enough for the support of the office; we
had been tossing in all the book income and even that hadn't been enough.
89.
... even that
would have any effect.
BB xxxi(xxix),
The Doctor's Opinion
His alcoholic problem
was so complex, and his depression so great, that
we felt his only hope would be
through what we then called "moral psychology," and we doubted if even that would
have any effect.
90.
... even the
ash container.
BB p.176,
Doctor Bob's Nightmare
91.
... even the
best, fall far short of ...
12&12 p.112,
Step Twelve
92.
... even the
best of them will sometimes ...
12&12 p.115,
Step Twelve
We had refused to learn
the very hard lesson that overdependence upon people is unsuccessful
because all people are fallible, and even the best of them will sometimes let us down, especially when our
demands for attention
become unreasonable.
93.
Even the
charitably disposed described them as ...
12&12 p.168,
Tradition Eight
94.
Even the
chief architect, standing in the ...
12&12 p.149,
Tradition Four
Even the chief architect, standing in
the ruins of his dream,
could laugh at himself --
and that is the very acme of
humility.
95.
... even the
death of one.
12&12 p.131,
Tradition One
And this they did find, in measure to transcend all
the defects of their frail
craft, every test of uncertainty, pain, fear, and despair, and even the death of one.
96.
... even the
evolutionists, suggested vast laws and ...
BB p.10,
Bill's Story
My intellectual heroes, the chemists, the
astronomers, even the
evolutionists, suggested vast laws and forces at work.
97.
... even the
ladies they sometimes brought home ...
BB p.106,
To Wives
The bill collectors, the
sheriffs, the angry taxi drivers, the policemen, the bums, the pals, and even the ladies they sometimes brought home -- our husbands thought we were
so inhospitable.
98.
... even the
militant atheist.
12&12 p.28,
Step Two
The roadblocks of indifference, fancied
self-sufficiency, prejudice, and defiance
often prove more solid and formidable for these people than any erected by the unconvinced agnostic
or even the militant atheist.
99.
Even the
newest of newcomers finds undreamed ...
12&12 p.109,
Step Twelve
Even the newest of newcomers finds undreamed rewards as he
tries to help his brother alcoholic, the one who is even blinder than he.
100.
... even the
smallest, is all that is ...
12&12 p.35,
Step Three
101.
Even the
suggestion of such a thing ...
12&12 p.168,
Tradition Eight
Even the suggestion of
such a thing never fails to whip up a hurricane, and we have discovered that hurricanes have a way of mauling with equal severity both the just and the unjust.
102.
... even the
world itself -- into protective parents.
12&12 p.115,
Step Twelve
We had failed to see that though adult in years we were still behaving childishly, trying to turn everybody -- friends, wives, husbands, even the world itself -- into protective
parents.
103.
... even their
best friends of the very ...
12&12 p.56,
Step Five
They will tell how they tried to carry the load alone; how much they suffered of irritability, anxiety,
remorse, and depression; and how, unconsciously seeking
relief, they would sometimes accuse even their best friends of the very character defects they themselves were trying to
conceal.
104.
Even then
it was hard to find ...
12&12 p.16,
Foreword
105.
Even then
the best of us will ...
12&12 p.66,
Step Six
Even then the best of us will discover to our dismay that there is always a
sticking point, a point at which we say, "No, I can't give this up yet."
106.
... even then
was no mere habit, that ...
12&12 p.23,
Step One
By going back in our own drinking histories, we could show
that years before we realized it we were out of control, that our drinking
even then was no mere habit, that it was indeed the beginning of a
fatal progression.
107.
... even there
an Eskimo might turn up ...
BB p.101,
Working With Others
His only chance for sobriety would be some place
like the Greenland Ice Cap, and even there an Eskimo might turn up with a bottle of scotch and ruin everything!
108.
Even these
"last-gaspers" often had difficulty in ...
12&12 p.22,
Step One
109.
... even these
people, if they construct a ...
12&12 p.68,
Step Six
But even these people, if
they construct a list of
still milder defects, will be obliged to admit that they prefer to hang on to some of
them.
110.
Even this
minimum of faith will be ...
12&12 p.27,
Step Two
111.
... even those
who had faith already often ...
12&12 p.62,
Step Five
112.
... even those
who may be only a ...
12&12 p.85,
Step Nine
As soon as we begin to feel confident in our new way of life and have begun, by our behavior and example, to
convince those about us
that we are indeed changing for the better, it
is usually safe to talk in complete frankness with those who
have been seriously affected, even those who may be only a little
or not at all aware of what we have done to them.
113.
... even though
fully prepared, would turn and ...
BB p.173,
Doctor Bob's Nightmare
Many mornings I have gone to classes, and even though fully prepared, would turn and walk back to the fraternity house because of my jitters, not daring to enter the classroom for fear of making a scene should I be called on
for recitation.
114.
... even though
he continues to drink, the ...
BB p.97,
Working With Others
115.
... even though
he does not go for ...
BB p.144,
To Employers
116.
... even though
he is sober, that after ...
12&12 p.39,
Step Three
Of course the sponsor points out that our friend's life is still unmanageable even though he is sober, that after all, only a
bare start on A.A.'s program has been made.
117.
... even though
it was impossible for any ...
BB p.46,
We Agnostics
We found that as soon as we
were able to lay aside prejudice and express even a willingness to believe
in a Power greater than ourselves, we commenced
to get results, even though it was impossible for any of us to
fully define or comprehend that Power,
which is God.
118.
... even though
our motives are good.
BB p.60,
How It Works
On that basis we are almost
always in collision
with something or somebody, even though our motives are good.
119.
... even though
such disclosures were painful and ...
12&12 p.47,
Step Four
First of all, we had to admit that we had many of these
defects, even though such disclosures were painful and humiliating.
120.
... even though
we had been surrounded by ...
12&12 p.116,
Step Twelve
For alcoholism had been a lonely business, even though we had been surrounded by people who
loved us.
121.
... even though
we had no resentment in ...
BB p.68,
How It Works
122.
... even though
we would have liked to.
BB p.62,
How It Works
Many of us had moral and philosophical convictions galore, but
we could not live up to them
even though we would have liked to.
123.
Even though
your husband becomes unbearable and ...
BB p.111,
To Wives
Even though your husband becomes unbearable and you have to leave him temporarily,
you should, if you can, go without rancor.
124.
Even though
your protégé may not have ...
BB p.92,
Working With Others
Even though your protégé may not have entirely admitted his condition, he has become
very curious to know how you got well.
125.
... even through
the day, though I was ...
BB p.177,
Doctor Bob's Nightmare
I used to promise my wife, my friends, and my children that I would drink
no more -- promises which seldom kept me sober even through the day, though I was very sincere when I made them.
126.
... even to
begin.
12&12 p.47,
Step Four
127.
... even to
love him.
12&12 p.109,
Step Twelve
128.
... even to
ourselves?
12&12 p.59,
Step Five
How could we be certain that we had made a true catalog of our defects and
had really admitted
them, even to ourselves?
129.
... even two
cars in the garage, began ...
12&12 p.23,
Step One
Alcoholics who still
had their health, their families, their jobs, and
even two cars in the garage, began to recognize their alcoholism.
130.
... even under
pressure and difficulty.
BB p.15,
Bill's Story
131.
... even unjust,
new lessons for living were ...
12&12 p.105,
Step Eleven
He will also report that out of every season of grief or suffering, when
the hand of God seemed heavy or even unjust, new lessons for living were learned, new resources of courage were uncovered,
and that finally, inescapably, the conviction came that God does "move in a mysterious way His wonders to perform."
132.
... even want
to try.
12&12 p.153,
Tradition Five
133.
Even when
he wanted to assert himself ...
BB p.130,
The Family Afterward
Even when he wanted to assert himself he could not,
for his drinking placed
him constantly in the wrong.
134.
... even when
he wants to.
BB p.109,
To Wives
Two: Your husband is showing lack of control, for he is unable to
stay on the water wagon even when he wants to.
135.
Even when
our fortunes had not ebbed ...
12&12 p.116,
Step Twelve
Even when our fortunes had
not ebbed that much and we nevertheless found ourselves alone in the world, we still vainly tried to be secure by some unhealthy
kind of domination or dependence.
136.
... even when
trying to be kind?
BB p.61,
How It Works
137.
... even when
we believed that God existed.
12&12 p.72,
Step Seven
138.
Even when
we have tried hard and ...
12&12 p.93,
Step Ten
Even when we have tried hard and failed, we may chalk that up as one of the greatest credits of all.
139.
Even when
we were well reestablished in ...
12&12 p.121,
Step Twelve
Even when we were well reestablished in our business, these terrible
fears often continued to haunt us.
140.
Even when
you understand the malady better, ...
BB p.139,
To Employers
141.
Even when
you've found the person, it ...
12&12 p.61,
Step Five
142.
... even while
staying within conventional bounds, many ...
12&12 p.67,
Step Six
And even while staying within conventional bounds, many people have to admit that their imaginary
sex excursions are apt to be all dressed up as dreams of romance.
143.
... even willing
to believe, that there is ...
BB p.47,
We Agnostics
144.
... even with
your own parents.
BB p.115,
To Wives
145.
... even worse
stigmatized than alcoholism, you may ...
12&12 p.142,
Tradition Three
Since I am the victim of another addiction even worse stigmatized than alcoholism, you may not want me among you.
146.
... even worshiped
science.
12&12 p.26,
Step Two
147.
... even writing
the people concerned now overwhelmed ...
12&12 p.79,
Step Eight
But the prospect of actually visiting or
even writing the people concerned now overwhelmed us, especially when we remembered in what poor favor we stood with most of
them.
148.
... even your
crimes -- we still can't deny ...
12&12 p.139,
Tradition Three
No matter who you are, no matter how low you've gone, no matter how grave your emotional complications -- even
your crimes -- we still
can't deny you A.A.
Passages from the Big Book Alcoholics Anonymous
and the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
are reprinted with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.
The A.A. Preamble, copyright ©
The A.A. Grapevine, Inc., is reprinted with permission.
Permission to reprint does not in any way imply affiliation with or
endorsement by either Alcoholics Anonymous or The A.A. Grapevine, Inc.
Copyright © 2005-2012, Recovery Press LLC; All Rights Reserved.