Page 60 AA Big Book 4th Edition

Many of us exclaimed, “What an order! I can’t go through with it.’’ Do not be discouraged. No one

among us has been able to maintain anything like perfect adherence to these principles. We are not saints.

The point is, that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines. The principles we have set down are guides to

progress. We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection. Our description of the alcoholic,
the chapter to the agnostic, and our personal adventures before and after make clear three pertinent ideas:

(a) That we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives.

(b) That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism.

(c) That God could and would if He were sought.