50 Big Book Quotes From the Text of Alcoholics Anonymous’ Program For Recovery

If you are interested, or know someone interested, in recovering from addiction, these Big Book quotes are perfect for you!

The full name of AA’s “Big Book” is Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism.

The book was written in 1939 by William G. Wilson, one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous.

This book was a collaborative effort, as William, who was known as Bill W., would look for input on the book from his group, as well as send drafts of the book to Dr. Bob, the other AA founder, and his group in Ohio.

The book is known as the predecessor of Alcoholics Anonymous’ famous “twelve-step method.”

Take a few minutes to read these Big Book quotes to learn more about the knowledge contained in this book.

Best Big Book Quotes

Here are some popular quotes from the book.

1. “One day at a time.”— Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

2. “We talked of intolerance while we were intolerant ourselves.”— Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

3. “Adversity truly introduces us to ourselves.”— Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

4. “The joy of living is the theme of A.A.’s Twelfth Step, and action is its keyword.”— Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

5. “The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.”— Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

6. “Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.”— Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

7. “The greatest enemies of us alcoholics are resentment, jealousy, envy, frustration, and fear.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

8. “To be doomed to an alcoholic death or to live on a spiritual basis are not always easy alternatives to face.”— Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

9. “When I am unwilling to do the right thing, I become restless, irritable, and discontent. It is always my choice.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

10. “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

Wise Big Book Quotes

These quotes are full of wisdom for those looking to recover.

11. “We are not saints. The point is that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

12. “We found that God does not make too hard terms with those who seek Him.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

13. “We must be willing to make amends where we have done harm, provided that we do not bring about still more harm in doing so.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

14. “You can’t think your way into right action, but you can act your way into right thinking.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

15. “Our book is meant to be suggestive only. We realize we know only a little. God will constantly disclose more to you and to us.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

16. “The only way to keep from returning to active alcoholism is to continue to work the steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

17. “The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way which is indeed miraculous.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

18. “I have found that the process of discovering who I really am begins with knowing who I really don’t want to be.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, Daily Reflections, August 3

19. “We must always remember that AA is no success story in the ordinary sense of the word. It is a story of suffering transmuted, under grace, into spiritual progress.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, Daily Reflections, October 25

20. “When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, or situation – some fact of my life – unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment.”— Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

Big Book Quotes From and About AA

Here are additional quotes from the AA book to help recover and heal.

21. “We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

22. “When I am unwilling to do the right thing, I become restless, irritable, and discontent.”— Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

23. “The Big Book is the foundation for recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous.” — AA Grapevine, January 1953

24. “Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, Daily Reflections, April 6

25. “The Big Book is an instruction manual for living.” — Bill Wilson, AA Grapevine, October 1948

26. “I have a choice today to live in my disease or to live in the solution.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, Daily Reflections, August 11

27. “The Big Book has been a great comfort and help to me over the years, and I consider it to be one of the great works of modern literature.” — Dr. Bob Smith

28. “Those events that once made me feel ashamed and disgraced now allow me to share with others how to become a useful member of the human race.”— Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

29. “AA is not a plan for recovery that can be finished and done with. It is a way of life, and the challenge contained in its principles is great enough to keep any human being striving for continued growth and development.” — Dr. Harry Tiebout

30. “The way of AA is a way of life, which can be a great comfort in good times and bad. It is a way of living in sobriety that brings with it a peace and serenity that can never be found in the chaos and confusion of alcoholism.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

Alcoholics Anonymous and Big Book Quotes

These quotes can help those looking to live in sobriety.

31. “Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

32. “Our liquor was but a symptom. So we had to get down to causes and conditions.”— Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

33. “I don’t think I’d be alive today without Alcoholics Anonymous. I don’t think I’d have made it.” — Jamie Lee Curtis

34. “Alcoholics Anonymous is a wonderful thing. It’s like a brotherhood of people that are all in this fight together.” — Eric Clapton

35. “The AA program has helped millions of people to recover from alcoholism and to find a new way of living that is free from the destructive power of alcohol.” — William Duncan Silkworth

36. “Alcoholics Anonymous is a wonderful, positive program that has helped millions of people, including myself, to overcome alcoholism and addiction.” — Anthony Hopkins

37. “Each day, somewhere in the world, recovery begins when one alcoholic talks with another alcoholic, sharing experience, strength, and hope.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

38. “Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, Daily Reflections, November 5

39. “The Big Book has saved countless lives and has been a source of hope and inspiration for people all over the world.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, AA Grapevine, November 1949

40. “It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness. To the precise extent that we permit these, do we squander the hours that might have been worthwhile.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, The Big Book

AA and Big Book Quotes From Celebrities

These quotes show the impact that the Big Book and AA have had on celebrities looking to heal and recover.

41. “I credit AA with saving my life.” — Martin Sheen

42. “Alcoholics Anonymous is a beautiful thing.” — Edie Falco

43. “AA was the only place that I found solace.” — Demi Lovato

44. “Alcoholics Anonymous is a great way of life.” — Buzz Aldrin

45. “AA has helped me stay sober for over 20 years.” — Samuel L. Jackson

46. “Alcoholics Anonymous is the best thing I’ve ever done.” — Russell Brand

47. “AA is responsible for my sobriety. I go there every day.” — Bradley Cooper

48. “Alcoholics Anonymous was the only way I could have gotten sober.” — Eric Clapton

49. “I owe everything I have in my life to Alcoholics Anonymous and sobriety.” — Rob Lowe

50. “Alcoholics Anonymous is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.” — Craig Ferguson

What Led Bill W. to Write the “Big Book”?

Bill W had a successful career on Wall Street before his addiction to alcohol ruined his career.

After a friend invited Bill W. to join the Oxford Group, Bill W. met Dr. Bob, and together they founded AA and developed the “Big Book.”

Please share these Big Book quotes with your friends and family and share the most inspirational one in the comment section below.