"wish" in the Big Book

This is the baffling feature of alcoholism as we know it—this utter inability to leave it alone, no matter how great the necessity or the wish.

This is a point we wish to emphasize and re-emphasize, to smash home upon our alcoholic readers as it has been revealed to us out of bitter experience.

We could wish to be moral, we could wish to be philosophically comforted, in fact, we could will these things with all our might, but the needed power wasn’t there.

When people presented us with spiritual approaches, how frequently did we all say, “I wish I had what that man has.

If our testimony helps sweep away prejudice, enables you to think honestly, encourages you to search diligently within yourself, then, if you wish, you can join us on the Broad Highway.

And do not his actions make each of them wish to retaliate, snatching all they can get out of the show?

We could not wish them away any more than alcohol.

Our former enemies sometimes praise what we are doing and wish us well.

Though there may be justifiable exceptions, and though we wish to lay down no rule of any sort, we have often found this the best course to take.

We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.

We can exercise our will power along this line all we wish.

Ministers and doctors are competent and you can learn much from them if you wish, but it happens that because of your own drinking experience you can be uniquely useful to other alcoholics.

Though the family has no religious connections, they may wish to make contact with or take membership in a religious body.

If he owes you money you may wish to make terms.

He may wish to do a lot for other alcoholics and something of the sort may come up during business hours.

If, on the contrary, you are sure he is doing his utmost, you may wish to give him another chance.

There is another thing you might wish to do.

He will wish for the end.

Should you wish them above all else, and be willing to make use of our experience, we are sure they will come.