“If I was to recover the wholeness, the oneness of my personality, if I truly wanted a rebirth of my human spirit, a taste of the joy of living, then ... I had to surrender, not only to alcohol as an alcoholic, but to life as a person.”

“My concept of a higher power is the power of good.”

“Our success with each new prospect has always rested squarely on our ability to identify with him or her in experience, in language and especially in feeling -- that profound feeling for each other that goes deeper than words. This is what we really mean when we say ‘one alcoholic talking to another.’”

“It surprises some people that AA members continue to attend meetings after years of recovery. But I find at least three good reasons for this practice: first, it helps me maintain and enhance my personal sobriety; second, I can contribute to, and benefit from, AA's caring community; and finally, I can stay close to the spiritual ideas which are the basis of our Twelve Step program.”

"Before the coming of faith I had lived as an alien in a cosmos that too often seemed both hostile and cruel."

"Not all of the problems created during the days when I hid in the fog of booze have straightened out, but I now have enough courage to face them squarely."

"A coffeepot simmers on the kitchen stove, a hospital sobers the stricken sufferer, general headquarters broadcasts the AA message ... All these symbolize AA in action. For action is the magic word of Alcoholics Anonymous."

"Those who follow the AA program with the greatest earnestness and zeal not only maintain sobriety but often acquire finer characteristics and attitudes as well. One of these is tolerance."

"The things that used to keep me awake nights now no longer bother me, because I can put them against the backdrop of eternity. The long, lonely winter that was alcoholism has turned into spring – the rebirth, the renewal of my life."

"I don't stand around on street corners just loving everybody today. But in an AA meeting or any AA gathering, I know I am in the kind of community of love that every therapy, religion, and philosophy desperately seeks. Love is our glue."

"I can now admit that most of my troubles stem from one large and glaring defect: self-centeredness."

"A good question to ask myself frequently is: What am I looking for – advice or approval?"

"We in AA talk about crossing the invisible line into our alcoholism. What about crossing the invisible line into the program of Alcoholics Anonymous?"

"I knew I needed the alcoholic as much as he needed me ... And this mutual give-and-take is at the very heart of all of AA's Twelfth Step work today. This was how to carry the message. The final missing link was located right there in my first talk with Dr. Bob."

"Instead of looking backward into the dreariness of my past, I'm looking forward to a bright future because I've finally taken responsibility for my life."