Hear me; a single twig
breaks, but the bundle of sticks is strong.
Tecumseh
Every
newcomer, every friend who looks at A.A. for the first time is greatly puzzled.
They see liberty verging on license, yet they recognize at once that A.A. has
an irresistible strength of purpose and action. "How," they ask,
"can such a crowd of anarchists function at all?" How can they
possibly place their common welfare first? What in Heaven's name holds them
together?"
Those
who look closely soon have the key to this strange paradox. The A.A. member has
to conform to the principals of recovery. His life actually depends upon
obedience to spiritual principals. If he deviates too far, the penalty is sure
and swift; he sickens and dies. At first he goes along because he must, but
later he discovers a way of life he really wants to live.
Twelve
Steps & Twelve Traditions pg. 130
The
life of each A.A. and of each group is built around our Twelve Steps and Twelve
Traditions. We know that the penalty for extensive disobedience to these
principals is death for the individual and dissolution for the group. But an
even greater force for A.A.'s unity is our compelling love for our fellow
members and for our principals.
Twelve
Concepts pg. 11