You shall look and listen to the welfare of the whole people.

Dekanawidah  Iroquois

 So at the outset, how best to live and work together as groups became the prime question. In the world about us we saw personalities destroying whole peoples. The struggle for wealth, power, and prestige was tearing humanity apart as never before. If strong people were stalemated in the search for peace and harmony, what was to become of our erratic band of alcoholics? As we had once struggled and prayed for individual recovery, just so earnestly did we commence to quest for the principals through which A.A. itself might survive.

Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions  pgs. 130 & 131

 
 
This Tradition is a constant and practical reminder that personal ambition has no place in A.A. In it, each member becomes an active guardian of our Fellowship.

Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions  pg. 183

Moved by the spirit of anonymity, we try to give up our natural desires for personal distinction as A.A. members both among fellow alcoholics and before the general public. As we lay aside these very human aspirations, we believe that each of us takes part in the weaving of a protective mantle which covers our whole Society and under which we may grow and work in unity.

Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions  pg. 187

 Grandfather remind us we are but a part of the tribe.