"good" in the Big Book

A good soldier is ne’er forgot Whether he dieth by musket Or by pot.”

As the whisky rose to my head I told myself I would manage better next time, but I might as well get good and drunk then.

I could almost hear the sound of the preacher’s voice as I sat, on still Sundays, way over there on the hillside; there was that proffered temperance pledge I never signed; my grandfather’s good natured contempt of some church folk and their doings; his insistence that the spheres really had their music; but his denial of the preacher’s right to tell him how he must listen; his fearlessness as he spoke of these things just before he died; these recollections welled up from the past.

I honestly doubted whether, on balance, the religions of mankind had done any good.

The good doctor now sees many men who have such experiences.

Each day my friend’s simple talk in our kitchen multiplies itself in a widening circle of peace on earth and good will to men.

If we keep on the way we are going there is little doubt that much good will result, but the surface of the problem would hardly be scratched.

Moderate drinkers have little trouble in giving up liquor entirely if they have good reason for it.

A certain American business man had ability, good sense, and high character.

His physical and mental condition were unusually good.

With many individuals the methods which I employed are successful, but I have never been successful with an alcoholic of your description.”* Upon hearing this, our friend was somewhat relieved, for he reflected that, after all, he was a good church member.

This hope, however, was destroyed by the doctor’s telling him that while his religious convictions were very good, in his case they did not spell the necessary vital spiritual experience. *For amplification—see Appendix II.

He is a good salesman.

He tells you he has decided to stop jay-walking for good, but in a few weeks he breaks both legs.

His income is good, he has a fine home, is happily married and the father of promising children of college age.

We think there are good reasons.

Everybody nowadays, believes in scores of assumptions for which there is good evidence, but no perfect visual proof.

On that basis we are almost always in collision with something or somebody, even though our motives are good.

Most good ideas are simple, and this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through which we passed to freedom.

Selfreliance was good as far as it went, but it didn’t go far enough.

We remembered always that our sex powers were God-given and therefore good, neither to be used lightly or selfishly nor to be despised and loathed.

We have begun to learn tolerance, patience and good will toward all men, even our enemies, for we look on them as sick people.

If you have already made a decision, and an inventory of your grosser handicaps, you have made a good beginning.

We will be more reconciled to discussing ourselves with another person when we see good reasons why we should do so.

When ready, we say something like this: “My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad.

He is going to be more interested in a demonstration of good will than in our talk of spiritual discoveries.

When it will serve any good purpose, we are willing to announce our convictions with tact and common sense.

We may be short in our accounts and unable to make good.

It is as good for the wife as for the husband.

It may be that both will decide that the way of good sense and loving kindness is to let by-gones be by-gones.

Good generalship may decide that the problem be attacked on the flank rather than risk a face-to-face combat.

But he is yet a long way from making good to the wife or parents whom for years he has so shockingly treated.

If there is any indication that he wants to stop, have a good talk with the person most interested in him— usually his wife.

Then let his family or a friend ask him if he wants to quit for good and if he would go to any extreme to do so.

Doctors are rightly loath to tell alcoholic patients the whole story unless it will serve some good purpose.

This is all to the good.

You have to act the Good Samaritan every day, if need be.

It is not good for him, and it sometimes creates serious complications in a family.

These things will come to pass naturally and in good time provided, however, the alcoholic continues to demonstrate that he can be sober, considerate, and helpful, regardless of what anyone says or does.

Therefore, ask yourself on each occasion, “Have I any good social, business, or personal reason for going to this place?

But be sure you are on solid spiritual ground before you start and that your motive in going is thoroughly good.

Why sit with a long face in places where there is drinking, sighing about the good old days.

We would not even do the cause of temperate drinking any good, for not one drinker in a thousand likes to be told anything about alcohol by one who hates it.

Of those who keep on, a good number will become true alcoholics after a while.

We have enjoyed such evenings ourselves; we had a good time.

Patience and good temper are most necessary.

But after his next binge, ask him if he would really like to get over drinking for good.

If your husband is otherwise a normal individual, your chances are good at this stage.

A good doctor or psychiatrist can tell you whether these complications are serious.

When they become too dangerous, we think the kind thing is to lock them up, but of course a good doctor should always be consulted.

Your new courage, good nature and lack of self-consciousness will do wonders for you socially.

cuss this with him when he is sober and in good spirits.

We thought, on the whole, we were pretty good women, capable of being nicer if our husbands stopped drinking.

But it was a silly idea that we were too good to need God.

He wants to make good.

It will do little good if you point that out and urge more attention for yourself.

That is why we are anxious that you understand, and that you avoid these unnecessary difficulties.* So to you out there who may soon be with us—we say “Good luck and God bless you!”

Suppose we tell you some of the obstacles a family will meet; suppose we suggest how they may be avoided—even converted to good use for others.

The good old days will soon be back, they think.

That is true only if one is willing to turn the past to good account.

So we think that unless some good and useful purpose is to be served, past occurrences should not be discussed.

Try to remember that though God has wrought miracles among us, we should never belittle a good doctor or psychiatrist.

He wants to quit drinking and you want to help him, even if it be only a matter of good business.

Your man should be on his mettle to make good.

It will permit the rehabilitation of good men.

It is joyous intimacy with friends and a feeling that life is good.

You fellows know your stuff all right, but I don’t see what good it’ll do.

He came through an acquaintance who had heard the good news.

There is a good bit of travel between East and West and we foresee a great increase in this helpful interchange.

And with such good effect that the doctor agreed to a test among his patients and certain other alcoholics from a clinic which he attends.