From the books ... Alcoholics Anonymous (Big Book) and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (12 & 12)
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... its actions
never be personally punitive nor ...
BB p.575,
Appendix VII, Twelve Concepts (Short Form)
XII. The Conference shall observe the spirit of A.A. tradition, taking care that it never becomes the seat of perilous wealth or power; that sufficient operating funds and reserve be its prudent financial principle; that it place none of its members in a position of
unqualified authority over others; that it reach all important decisions by
discussion, vote, and,
whenever possible, by
substantial unanimity; that its actions never be personally punitive nor an incitement to public controversy; that
it never perform acts of government, and
that, like the Society it
serves, it will always remain democratic in thought
and action.
2.
... its actual
operation it discloses a society ...
12&12 p.175,
Tradition Nine
Though Tradition Nine at first sight seems to deal with a purely practical matter, in its actual operation it discloses
a society without organization, animated only by the spirit
of service -- a true fellowship.
3.
... its advantages
for all.
BB xiii,
Foreword to First Edition
4.
... its advantages
when reasonably used.
BB p.110,
To Wives
5.
... its advertising;
he was to be described ...
12&12 p.158,
Tradition Six
The association wanted to use our member's full name in all its advertising; he was to be described both as its director of publicity and as a member
of Alcoholics Anonymous.
6.
... its affairs
exactly as it pleases, except ...
12&12 p.146,
Tradition Four
But in relation to us, it means very simply that every A.A. group can manage its affairs exactly as it pleases, except when A.A. as a whole is threatened.
7.
... its application
presented difficulties beyond our conception.
BB xxvii(xxv),
The Doctor's Opinion
We doctors have realized for a long time that some form of moral psychology was of urgent importance to alcoholics, but its application presented
difficulties beyond
our conception.
8.
... its ashes
about.
BB p.124,
The Family Afterward
Then, under one provocation or another,
the aggrieved one would unearth the old affair and angrily cast its ashes about.
9.
... its attendant
suffering and humiliation, why is ...
BB p.22,
There Is A Solution
If hundreds of experiences have shown
him that one drink means another debacle with all its attendant suffering and
humiliation, why is it
he takes that one drink?
10.
Its author
was a man who for ...
12&12 p.99,
Step Eleven
11.
... its authority.
12&12 p.134,
Tradition Two
In either case, the group now has a so-called rotating committee, very sharply limited in its authority.
12.
... its best
moments for the worst I ...
BB p.43,
More About Alcoholism
My old manner of life was by no means a bad one, but I would not exchange
its best moments for the worst I have
now.
13.
... its bestowal
upon others like us is ...
12&12 p.151,
Tradition Five
This is our gift from God, and
its bestowal upon others like us is the one aim that today animates A.A.'s all around the globe.
14.
... its bills,
that's really news.
12&12 p.160,
Tradition Seven
When a society composed
entirely of alcoholics says it's going to pay its bills, that's really news.
15.
... its business?
12&12 p.173,
Tradition Nine
Who is more unpopular
than the oldtime A.A., full of wisdom, who moves to another area and tries to tell the group there how to run its business?
16.
... its chief
application to situations which arise ...
12&12 p.90,
Step Ten
17.
... its commitment
to health resorts, sanitariums, hospitals, ...
BB p.107,
To Wives
Most of us have entered the final stage with its commitment to health resorts, sanitariums, hospitals, and jails.
18.
... its common
manifestations.
BB p.64,
How It Works
Being convinced that self, manifested in various ways, was what had defeated us, we considered its common manifestations.
19.
... its consequences.
12&12 p.21,
Step One
We know that little good can come to any alcoholic who joins A.A. unless he has first accepted his devastating weakness
and all its consequences.
20.
... its core
it remains simple and personal.
BB xxii,
Foreword to Third Edition
In spite of the great increase in the size and the
span of this Fellowship,
at its core it remains simple and personal.
21.
... its course
or be hopelessly lost.
12&12 p.147,
Tradition Four
22.
... its demands.
12&12 p.21,
Step One
Alcohol, now become the rapacious creditor, bleeds us of all
self-sufficiency and
all will to resist its demands.
23.
... its direction?
12&12 p.132,
Tradition Two
24.
... its director
of publicity and as a ...
12&12 p.158,
Tradition Six
The association wanted to use our member's full name in all its advertising; he was to be described both as its director of publicity and as a member
of Alcoholics Anonymous.
25.
... its effectiveness
would be increased if we ...
BB p.19,
There Is A Solution
None of us makes a sole vocation of this work, nor do we think its effectiveness would be increased if we did.
26.
... its elders,
will be in the long ...
12&12 p.135,
Tradition Two
This is the experience which has led us to the conclusion
that our group conscience, well-advised by its elders, will be in the long run wiser than any single leader.
27.
... its elements
are simple.
BB p.57,
We Agnostics
28.
... its environs
there are one thousand of ...
BB p.15,
Bill's Story
29.
... its era
had almost forgotten.
12&12 p.165,
Tradition Seven
They pointed out that the irresponsible had become responsible, and
that by making financial independence part of
its tradition, Alcoholics Anonymous
had revived an ideal that
its era had almost forgotten.
30.
... its experience
in a book which finally ...
12&12 p.17,
Foreword
Nevertheless, the infant Society determined to set down its experience in a book which
finally reached the public in April 1939.
31.
... its Fellowship
will number many hundreds.(*)
BB p.161,
A Vision For You
32.
... its first
fruits is emotional balance.
12&12 p.101,
Step Eleven
33.
... its first
major test.
12&12 p.38,
Step Three
34.
... its first
step in the formation of ...
12&12 p.142,
Tradition Three
35.
... its flight
like a boomerang and all ...
BB p.2,
Bill's Story
Out of this alloy of drink and speculation, I
commenced to forge the
weapon that one day would turn in its flight like a boomerang and all but
cut me to ribbons.
36.
... its fold,
Alcoholics Anonymous has made the ...
BB p.561(563),
Appendix I, The A.A. Tradition
To those now in its fold, Alcoholics Anonymous
has made the difference
between misery and sobriety, and often the difference between life and death.
37.
Its foreword
made this revealing statement: "It ...
12&12 p.184,
Tradition Twelve
Its foreword made this revealing statement: "It is important that we remain
anonymous because we
are too few, at present, to
handle the overwhelming number of
personal appeals which
may result from this publication.
38.
... its Foundation
Board,(*) nor the humblest group ...
12&12 p.173,
Tradition Nine
Neither its General Service Conference, its Foundation Board,(*) nor the humblest group committee can issue a single directive to an A.A. member and make it stick, let alone mete out any punishment.
39.
... its friends,
this is but the beginning ...
12&12 p.18,
Foreword
40.
... its full
implication, it is really talking ...
12&12 p.106,
Step Twelve
When the Twelfth Step is seen in its full implication, it is really talking about the kind of love that has no price tag
on it.
41.
... its General
Service Conference, its Foundation Board,(*) ...
12&12 p.173,
Tradition Nine
Neither its General Service Conference, its Foundation Board,(*) nor the humblest group committee can issue a single directive to an A.A. member and make it stick, let alone mete out any punishment.
42.
... its "God
nonsense."
12&12 p.143,
Tradition Three
43.
... its grip.
BB p.2,
Bill's Story
44.
Its headquarters
address is 1600 Corporate Landing ...
12&12 p.118,
Step Twelve (Note)
45.
... its hidden
springs that relapse was unthinkable.
BB p.26,
There Is A Solution
Above all, he believed he
had acquired such a profound knowledge of
the inner workings of his
mind and its hidden springs that relapse was unthinkable.
46.
... its hopelessness,
the physician began to pursue ...
BB xvi,
Foreword to Second Edition
But when the broker gave him
Dr. Silkworth's description of alcoholism and its hopelessness, the physician began to pursue the spiritual remedy for his malady with a
willingness he had never before been able to muster.
47.
... its individual
members.
12&12 p.182,
Tradition Eleven
Here was something rare in the world -- a society which said it wished to publicize its principles and its work, but not its individual members.
48.
... its individual
members; surely there is none ...
12&12 p.129,
Tradition One
We believe there isn't a fellowship on earth which
lavishes more devoted care upon its individual members; surely there is none which more jealously guards the individual's
right to think, talk, and act as he wishes.
49.
... its individual
members waxed prosperous.
12&12 p.161,
Tradition Seven
50.
... its infancy
into adolescence, we swung from ...
12&12 p.161,
Tradition Seven
As A.A. emerged from its infancy into adolescence, we swung
from the idea that we needed
vast sums of money to the notion that A.A. shouldn't have any.
51.
... its inner
essence is.
12&12 p.101,
Step Eleven
52.
... its interior.
12&12 p.36,
Step Three
53.
... its international
service center.
BB p.573(575),
Appendix VI, How to Get in Touch With A.A.
54.
... its key
word.
12&12 p.106,
Step Twelve
55.
... its leaders
shall serve.
12&12 p.134,
Tradition Two
56.
... its leadership
to draw votes.
12&12 p.181,
Tradition Eleven
A political party wishes to win an election, so it advertises the virtues
of its leadership to draw votes.
57.
... its legions
of well-wishers, A.A. could never ...
12&12 p.180,
Tradition Eleven
58.
... its letterhead
shows the name of every ...
12&12 p.181,
Tradition Eleven
A worthy charity wants to raise money; forthwith, its letterhead shows the name of every distinguished person whose support can be obtained.
59.
... its list
of 'protective' regulations.
12&12 p.140,
Tradition Three
60.
Its main
object is to enable you ...
BB p.45,
We Agnostics
Its main object is to enable you to find a Power greater than yourself
which will solve your problem.
61.
... its members
and enforce obedience to necessary ...
12&12 p.172,
Tradition Nine
Did anyone ever hear of a society which
couldn't somehow discipline its members and enforce obedience to necessary
rules and regulations?
62.
... its members
govern or direct the group.
12&12 p.134,
Tradition Two
63.
... its members
in a position of unqualified ...
BB p.575,
Appendix VII, Twelve Concepts (Short Form)
XII. The Conference shall observe the spirit of A.A. tradition, taking care that it never becomes the seat of perilous wealth or power; that sufficient operating funds and reserve be its prudent financial principle; that it place none of its members in a position of
unqualified authority over others; that it reach all important decisions by
discussion, vote, and,
whenever possible, by
substantial unanimity; that its actions never be personally punitive nor an incitement to public controversy; that
it never perform acts of government, and
that, like the Society it
serves, it will always remain democratic in thought
and action.
64.
... its members
to impose obedience upon the ...
12&12 p.172,
Tradition Nine
Doesn't nearly every society on earth give authority to some of
its members to impose obedience upon the rest and to punish or expel offenders?
65.
... its membership
a salesman we shall call ...
12&12 p.143,
Tradition Three
Not long after the man with the double stigma knocked for admission, A.A.'s other group received into its membership a salesman
we shall call Ed.
66.
... its membership
might angrily rush off to ...
12&12 p.177,
Tradition Ten
Disliking the attempt
of some to manage a group,
half its membership might angrily
rush off to form another group more to their liking.
67.
... its membership
regulations?
12&12 p.141,
Tradition Three
68.
... its message
to the alcoholic who still ...
12&12 p.150,
Tradition Five
"Each group has but one primary purpose -- to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers."
69.
... its message
to the alcoholic who still ...
12&12 p.190,
Tradition Five (Long)
Five -- Each Alcoholics Anonymous
group ought to be a spiritual entity having
but one primary purpose -- that of carrying its message to the alcoholic
who still suffers.
70.
... its message
to the alcoholic who still ...
BB p.562(564),
Appendix I, The A.A. Tradition
Five -- Each group has but one primary purpose -- to carry its message to the alcoholic
who still suffers.
71.
... its message
to the alcoholic who still ...
BB p.563(565),
Appendix I, The A.A. Tradition
5. Each Alcoholics Anonymous group ought to be a spiritual entity having but one primary purpose -- that of
carrying its message to the alcoholic
who still suffers.
72.
... its morality
was impossibly good; in others ...
12&12 p.30,
Step Two
73.
... its mystery
is; and let us lift ...
12&12 p.100,
Step Eleven
Let us look now upon the sea and ponder what its mystery is; and let us lift our eyes to the far horizon, beyond which we shall seek all those wonders still unseen.
74.
... its name.
12&12 p.17,
Foreword
75.
... its object
is always the same: to ...
12&12 p.101,
Step Eleven
But its object is always the same: to improve our conscious contact with God, with His grace, wisdom, and love.
76.
... its object
is to thoroughly clear mind ...
BB p.143,
To Employers
77.
... its occupations
are represented, as well as ...
BB p.17,
There Is A Solution
All sections of this country and many of its occupations are represented, as well as many political, economic, social, and religious backgrounds.
78.
... its own
affairs, each A.A. group should ...
12&12 p.189,
Tradition Four (Long)
Four -- With respect to
its own affairs, each A.A. group should be responsible to no other authority than its own conscience.
79.
... its own
affairs, each A.A. group should ...
BB p.563(565),
Appendix I, The A.A. Tradition
4. With respect to its own affairs, each A.A. group should be responsible to no other authority than its own conscience.
80.
... its own
book.
BB xvii,
Foreword to Second Edition
The fledgling society,
which had been nameless, now began to be called Alcoholics Anonymous, from the title
of its own book.
81.
... its own
conscience.
12&12 p.189,
Tradition Four (Long)
Four -- With respect to
its own affairs, each A.A. group should be responsible to no other authority than its own conscience.
82.
... its own
conscience.
BB p.563(565),
Appendix I, The A.A. Tradition
4. With respect to its own affairs, each A.A. group should be responsible to no other authority than its own conscience.
83.
... its own
conscience as a guide to ...
12&12 p.147,
Tradition Four
This meant, of course, that
we had been given the courage to declare each A.A. group an individual entity, strictly reliant on its own conscience as a guide to action.
84.
... its own
right.
12&12 p.49,
Step Four
85.
... its paralyzing
grip.
12&12 p.73,
Step Seven
Every newcomer in Alcoholics Anonymous
is told, and soon realizes for himself, that
his humble admission of
powerlessness over alcohol is his first step toward liberation from its paralyzing grip.
86.
... its people
really dominated us.
BB p.66,
How It Works
87.
... its people
were often quite wrong.
BB p.66,
How It Works
88.
... its pioneering
time.
BB xvii,
Foreword to Second Edition
89.
... its place.
12&12 p.62,
Step Five
90.
... its plans
concern the welfare of neighboring ...
12&12 p.189,
Tradition Four (Long)
But when its plans concern the welfare of neighboring groups also, those groups ought to be consulted.
91.
... its plans
concern the welfare of neighboring ...
BB p.563(565),
Appendix I, The A.A. Tradition
But when its plans concern the welfare of neighboring groups also, those groups ought to be consulted.
92.
... its power
and simplicity.
BB xxiv,
Foreword to Fourth Edition
Modem-to-modem or face-to-face, A.A.'s speak the language of the heart in all
its power and simplicity.
93.
... its present
form, substance, and unity.
12&12 p.18,
Foreword
The Tradition section
of this volume portrays
in some detail the experience which finally
produced the Twelve Traditions and so gave A.A. its present form, substance, and unity.
94.
... its primary
purpose.
12&12 p.165,
Tradition Seven
The pressure of that fat treasury would surely tempt the board to invent all kinds of schemes to do good with such funds, and so divert A.A. from its primary purpose.
95.
... its principal
patient and would-be manager.
12&12 p.161,
Tradition Seven
We had been presented with a hospital, and almost immediately the donor's
son became its principal patient and would-be manager.
96.
... its principles
and its work, but not ...
12&12 p.182,
Tradition Eleven
Here was something rare in the world -- a society which said it wished to publicize its principles and its work, but not its individual members.
97.
... its prudent
financial principle; that it place ...
BB p.575,
Appendix VII, Twelve Concepts (Short Form)
XII. The Conference shall observe the spirit of A.A. tradition, taking care that it never becomes the seat of perilous wealth or power; that sufficient operating funds and reserve be its prudent financial principle; that it place none of its members in a position of
unqualified authority over others; that it reach all important decisions by
discussion, vote, and,
whenever possible, by
substantial unanimity; that its actions never be personally punitive nor an incitement to public controversy; that
it never perform acts of government, and
that, like the Society it
serves, it will always remain democratic in thought
and action.
98.
... its purpose
for lack of nourishment, so ...
12&12 p.97,
Step Eleven
99.
... its quantity.
12&12 p.32,
Step Two
100.
... its quick
energy value at times of ...
BB p.134,
The Family Afterward
He thought all alcoholics should constantly have chocolate available for
its quick energy value at times of fatigue.
101.
... its ramifications.
BB xxi,
Foreword to Second Edition
In all probability, we shall never be able to touch more than a fair fraction of the alcohol problem in all its ramifications.
102.
... its real
merit is.
12&12 p.102,
Step Eleven
103.
... its right
to be wrong.
12&12 p.149,
Tradition Four
104.
... its rotating
committee, and the groups of ...
12&12 p.191,
Tradition Nine (Long)
The small group may elect its secretary, the large group its rotating committee, and
the groups of a large metropolitan area their
central or intergroup
committee, which often
employs a full-time secretary.
105.
... its rotating
committee, and the groups of ...
BB p.565(567),
Appendix I, The A.A. Tradition
The small group may elect its secretary, the large group its rotating committee, and
the groups of a large metropolitan area their
central or intergroup
committee, which often
employs a full-time secretary.
106.
... its satisfactions
for us, too.
12&12 p.67,
Step Six
Gossip barbed with our anger, a polite form of murder by character assassination, has its
satisfactions for us, too.
107.
... its secretary,
the large group its rotating ...
12&12 p.191,
Tradition Nine (Long)
The small group may elect its secretary, the large group its rotating committee, and
the groups of a large metropolitan area their
central or intergroup
committee, which often
employs a full-time secretary.
108.
... its secretary,
the large group its rotating ...
BB p.565(567),
Appendix I, The A.A. Tradition
The small group may elect its secretary, the large group its rotating committee, and
the groups of a large metropolitan area their
central or intergroup
committee, which often
employs a full-time secretary.
109.
... its service
corporations, staffs, committees, and executives ...
BB p.574,
Appendix VII, Twelve Concepts (Short Form)
III. To insure effective leadership,
we should endow each element of A.A. -- the Conference, the General
Service Board and its service corporations, staffs,
committees, and executives -- with a traditional "Right of Decision."
110.
... its significance
everywhere.
BB p.69,
How It Works
111.
... its sole
objective.
12&12 p.147,
Tradition Four
112.
... its soundness
may, of course, mean little.
BB xxvi(xxiv),
The Doctor's Opinion
113.
... its spirit.
12&12 p.186,
Tradition Twelve
114.
... its successful
consummation.
BB p.25,
There Is A Solution
Almost none of us liked the self-searching, the leveling
of our pride, the confession of shortcomings which the process requires for its successful consummation.
115.
... its suggestions.
BB p.144,
To Employers
When the man is presented
with this volume it is best
that no one tell him he must abide by its suggestions.
116.
... its suggestions.
BB p.153,
A Vision For You
Our hope is that when this chip of a book is launched on the world tide of alcoholism, defeated drinkers will seize upon it, to follow its suggestions.
117.
... its telephone,
but it was an open ...
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.
118.
... its tradition,
Alcoholics Anonymous had revived an ...
12&12 p.165,
Tradition Seven
They pointed out that the irresponsible had become responsible, and
that by making financial independence part of
its tradition, Alcoholics Anonymous
had revived an ideal that
its era had almost forgotten.
119.
... its trees.
BB p.50,
We Agnostics
We missed the reality and
the beauty of the forest
because we were diverted by the ugliness
of some of its trees.
120.
Its trustees
are the caretakers and expediters ...
12&12 p.175,
Tradition Nine
121.
... its trustees
might be tempted to run ...
12&12 p.164,
Tradition Seven
Foundation obtained
money from outside sources, its trustees might be tempted
to run things without reference to the
wishes of A.A. as a whole.
122.
... its Twelve
Steps are but suggestions.
12&12 p.26,
Step Two
123.
... its unique
and highly successful approach to ...
BB p.571(573),
Appendix IV, The Lasker Award
"The American Public Health Association presents a Lasker Group Award for 1951 to Alcoholics Anonymous in recognition of its unique and highly successful approach to
that age-old public health and social problem, alcoholism ... In emphasizing alcoholism as an illness, the social stigma associated with
this condition is being
blotted out ... Historians may one day recognize Alcoholics Anonymous
to have been a great venture in social pioneering which forged a
new instrument for social action; a new therapy based on the kinship of common suffering; one having a vast potential for the myriad
other ills of mankind."
124.
... its unique
and valuable service.
12&12 p.18,
Foreword
125.
... its unique
but effective therapy."
BB p.572(574),
Appendix V, The Religious View on A.A.
This self-insurance has
resulted in the restoration of physical, mental and spiritual health and self-respect to hundreds of men and women who would be hopelessly down and out without its unique but effective therapy."
126.
... its unity
and relates itself to the ...
12&12 p.15,
Foreword
They outline the means by
which A.A. maintains its unity and relates itself to the world about it, the way it lives and grows.
127.
... its walls.
BB p.162,
A Vision For You
128.
... its waste
of time, men and reputation.
BB p.148,
To Employers
Alcoholism may be causing your organization considerable damage in
its waste of time, men and reputation.
129.
... its way
with us.
12&12 p.29,
Step Two
130.
... its weekly
visitors, for they number sixty ...
BB p.161,
A Vision For You
Now, this house will hardly accommodate its weekly visitors, for they
number sixty or eighty as a rule.
131.
... its weight
to be willing to look ...
12&12 p.38,
Step Three
Each of us has had his own near-fatal encounter with the juggernaut of self-will, and has suffered enough under its weight to be willing to look for something better.
132.
... its will
upon the rest.
12&12 p.37,
Step Three
133.
... its work.
12&12 p.90,
Step Ten
Before we ask what a spot-check inventory is, let's look at the kind of setting in which such an inventory can do its work.
134.
... its work,
but not its individual members.
12&12 p.182,
Tradition Eleven
Here was something rare in the world -- a society which said it wished to publicize its principles and its work, but not its individual members.
135.
... its works.
12&12 p.30,
Step Two
136.
... its world
affairs.
BB p.574,
Appendix VII, Twelve Concepts (Short Form)
II. The General Service Conference of A.A. has become, for nearly every practical purpose, the active voice and the effective conscience
of our whole Society in
its world affairs.
137.
... its World
Service Office, 1600 Corporate Landing ...
BB p.121,
To Wives (Note)
If there is no Al-Anon/Alateen listing in
your local telephone book, you may obtain further information on
Al-Anon/Alateen Family Groups by writing to its World Service Office, 1600 Corporate Landing Parkway, Virginia Beach, VA 23454-5617.
138.
... its worst
aspect.
BB p.132,
The Family Afterward
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.