"But in A.A. we slowly
learned that something had to be done about our vengeful resentments, self-pity,
and unwarranted pride. We had to see that every time we played the big shot, we
turned people against us. We had to see that when we harbored grudges and
planned revenge for such defeats, we were really beating ourselves with the club
of anger we had intended to use on others. We learned that if we were seriously
disturbed, our first need was to quiet that disturbance, regardless of
who or what we thought caused it."
1952, AAWS, Inc.; Printed
2005
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pg.
47
"Outsiders are sometimes shocked when we burst into merriment over a seemingly tragic experience out of the past. But why shouldn't we laugh? We have recovered, and have been given the power to help others."