Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith, or Dr. Bob S., co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), is revered for his contributions to the recovery movement and his compassionate approach. While fewer quotes are directly attributed to Dr. Bob compared to Bill W., he left a powerful legacy in AA’s early writings, speeches, and discussions. Here are 25 quotes attributed to or inspired by Dr. Bob:
1. “Trust God. Clean house. Help others.”
2. “I don’t believe we do things just by accident. I think we do things because God wants us to.”
3. “Let’s not louse this thing up. Let’s keep it simple.”
4. “Our Twelve Steps, when simmered down to the last, resolve themselves into the words ‘love’ and ‘service.'”
5. “I get a great thrill out of hearing the stories of people who have recovered.”
6. “I spend a great deal of time passing on what I learned to others who want and need it badly.”
7. “I believe that we are all children of God.”
8. “If you and I are going to stay sober, we’ve got to help others.”
9. “Remember that your job now is to be at the place where you may be of maximum helpfulness to others.”
10. “Humility is what we need, not praise.”
11. “There is no such thing as an individual cure. There is no room for lone wolves.”
12. “Faith without works is dead.”
13. “We alcoholics are undisciplined. So, we let God discipline us in the simple way we have just outlined.”
14. “There’s a much better way of life than getting smashed and passing out in gutters.”
15. “I’ve found that you have to rely on the Lord and take the steps He has laid out for you.”
16. “I’ll never forget my last drink. I felt free for the first time in years.”
17. “We were drinking to escape from something, usually ourselves.”
18. “We found that the solution to our problems lies in spiritual progress.”
19. “The only way to stay sober is to stay active in helping others recover.”
20. “Our disease is one of self-centeredness and pride.”
21. “When you work with a drunk, don’t be discouraged if he doesn’t get it right away. Keep at it.”
22. “Prayer and meditation are essential.”
23. “The joy of living we find in sobriety far outweighs anything we ever experienced while drinking.”
24. “When we work the program, we give the best we have to God and others.”
25. “We alcoholics are like men who have lost their legs; they never grow new ones.”
Dr. Bob’s focus on humility, faith, and service remains a cornerstone of AA, and his influence on recovery continues to inspire countless people.
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