Quotes on “purpose” from the book Alcoholics Anonymous (aka “The Big Book”):
All changes made over the years in the Big Book ( A.A. members’ fond nickname for this volume ) have had the same purpose: to represent the current membership of Alcoholics Anonymous more accurately, and thereby to reach more alcoholics. ( p. xii )
To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. ( p. xii )
You may already have asked yourself why it is that all of us became so very ill from drinking. Doubtless you are curious to discover how and why, in the face of expert opinion to the contrary, we have recovered from a hopeless condition of mind and body. If you are an alcoholic who wants to get over it, you may already be asking— “What do I have to do?”
It is the purpose of this book to answer such questions specifically. We shall tell you what we have done. ( p. 20 )
In our personal stories you will find a wide variation in the way each teller approaches and conceives of the Power which is greater than himself. Whether we agree with a particular approach or conception seems to make little difference. Experience has taught us that these are matters about which, for our purpose, we need not be worried. They are questions for each individual to settle for himself. ( p. 50 )
Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us. ( p. 77 )
We don’t use this [ “Why lay ourselves open to being branded fanatics or religious bores? We may kill a future opportunity to carry a beneficial message.” ] as an excuse for shying away from the subject of God. When it will serve any good purpose, we are willing to announce our convictions with tact and common sense. ( p. 77 )
All pages where the word ‘purpose‘ may be found in the 3rd. Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous. – xii, xiii, 10, 20, 49, 50, 77, 92, 125, 130, 192, 246, 259, 295, 346, 381, 383, 416, 535, 546, 551, 564, 565, 566
All pages where the word ‘purpose‘ may be found in the 4th. Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous. – xii, xiii, 10, 20, 49, 50, 77, 92, 125, 130, 192, 227, 266, 302, 356, 358, 395, 423, 461, 546, 550, 562, 563, 564, 574