Dependence Quote by Charles Bufe
![“Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. This is yet another step which invokes “God” and encourages dependence rather than independence. It echoes the first three steps’ declarations of personal “powerlessness” (first step), personal “[in]sanity” (second step), and…” quote by Charles Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84d/charles-bufe-40675_first-step_were-entirely-ready-to-have-god-remove-a_2096373.jpg)
““Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. This is yet another step which invokes “God” and encourages dependence rather than independence. It echoes the first three steps’ declarations of personal “powerlessness” (first step), personal “[in]sanity” (second step), and the “decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God” (third step). (As an aside, it’s most interesting to speculate how those who chose doorknobs or bedpans as their “Higher Power” “work this step.”)””
About This Quote
Source Book: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 12‑Step Literature, 1939
The step urges surrender to a higher power, fostering reliance on divine help rather than self‑reliance.
In simple terms: Rely on God to fix character flaws.
Key Takeaway
Embrace humility and seek spiritual aid.
Themes
humility
spirituality
dependence
self‑improvement
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
advice
spiritual
recovery
When to use this quote
- addiction recovery
- spiritual counseling
- group meetings
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
AA 12‑Step program
faith‑based recovery
Questions to Reflect On
- How does dependence on a higher power affect personal responsibility?
- Can one balance reliance on God with self‑action?
A Different Perspective
May limit personal agency and hinder self‑empowerment.
![“As Jack Trimpey, founder of Rational Recovery, has pointed out, steps 2 and 3 are a con—a classic “bait and switch.” Specifically, step 3 poses obvious problems for atheist and agnostic newcomers who have chosen, for example, a doorknob as their “Power greater than [themselves].” How does one turn…” quote by Charles Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2b9/charles-bufe-40675_quote_as-jack-trimpey-founder-of-rational-reco_1278748.jpg)
![“They [leaders in Western Europe] do not misuse financial instruments, financial injections, but, first of all, seek structural change. This is urgent for our economy as well, maybe even more urgent bearing in mind the problem that we cannot yet deal with, namely the prevalence of the oil and gas…” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fab/vladimir-putin-261_change_they-leaders-in-western-europe-do-not-mi_43180.jpg)
![“The heart becomes sick, as the body becomes sick, and its remedy is al-Tawbah (repentance) and protection [from transgression]. It becomes rusty as a mirror becomes rusty, and its clarity is obtained by remembrance. It becomes naked as the body becomes naked, and its beautification is al-Taqwa. It…” quote by Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/454/ibn-qayyim-al-jawziyya-10803_als_the-heart-becomes-sick-as-the-body-becom_66500.jpg)