"person" in the Big Book

If a person has cancer all are sorry for him and no one is angry or hurt.

No person likes to think he is bodily and mentally different from his fellows.

Whether such a person can quit upon a nonspiritual basis depends upon the extent to which he has already lost the power to choose whether he will drink or not.

Though not a religious person, I have profound respect for the spiritual approach in such cases as yours.

R arely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.

Each person is like an actor who wants to run the whole show; is forever trying to arrange the lights, the ballet, the scenery and the rest of the players in his own way.

We found it very desirable to take this spiritual step with an understanding person, such as our wife, best friend, or spiritual adviser.

When a person offended we said to ourselves, “This is a sick man.

Though a situation had not been entirely our fault, we tried to disregard the other person involved entirely.

This is perhaps difficult—especially discussing our defects with another person.

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

Rightly and naturally, we think well before we choose the person or persons with whom to take this intimate and confidential step.

We often find such a person quick to see and understand our problem.

Perhaps our doctor or psychologist will be the person.

We have no right to save our own skin at another person’s expense.

Notwithstanding the great necessity for discussing ourselves with someone, it may be one is so situated that there is no suitable person available.

We say this because we are very anxious that we talk to the right person.

Nevertheless, with a person we dislike, we take the bit in our teeth.

Under no condition do we criticize such a person or argue.

We have already admitted this in con­ fidence to another person, but we are sure we would be imprisoned or lose our job if it were known.

We feel we ought to say to her that we have no right to involve another person.

It is better, however, that one does not needlessly name a person upon whom she can vent jealousy.

Have we kept something to ourselves which should be discussed with another person at once?

They should be patient, realizing they are dealing with a sick person.

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

If he says yes, then his attention should be drawn to you as a person who has recovered.

When dealing with such a person, you had better use everyday language to describe spiritual principles.

If you leave such a person alone, he may soon become convinced that he cannot recover by himself.

But urge upon a man’s family that he has been a very sick person and should be treated accordingly.

To a person who has had experience with an alcoholic, this may seem like tempting Providence, but it isn’t.

If you are with a person who wants to eat in a bar, by all means go along.

But many of the suggestions given here may be adapted to help the person who lives with a woman alcoholic—whether she is still drinking or is recovering in A.A. A further source of help is noted on page 121.

He is just another very sick, unreasonable person.

We think this person is in danger.

When you have carefully explained to such people that he is a sick person, you will have created a new atmosphere.

We wives found that, like everybody else, we were afflicted with pride, self-pity, vanity and all the things which go to make up the self-centered person; and we were not above selfishness or dishonesty.

Another principle we observe carefully is that we do not relate intimate experiences of another person unless we are sure he would approve.

Dad may feel that for years his drinking has placed him on the wrong side of every argument, but that now he has become a superior person with God on his side.

And but for the intervention of an understanding person, I might have followed in their footsteps.

Say that you believe he is a gravely ill person, with this qualification—being perhaps fatally ill, does he want to get well?

He trembled as he went about, for this might mean ruin, particularly to a person in his line of business.