Quote by Bill Wilson, Letter, April, 1953

I am beginning to see that all my troubles have their root in a habitual and absolute dependence upon my personal prestige, security, and romantic attachment. When these things go wrong, there is depression. Now this absolute dependence upon people and situations for emotional security is, I think, the immense and devastating fallacy that makes us miserable. This craving for such dependencies, this utter dependence upon people and situations, can only lead to conflict. Both on the surface and at depth. We are making demands on circumstances and people that are bound to fail us. The only safe and sure channel of absolute dependence is upon God himself.

Summary

The quote highlights the idea that the root of one's troubles lies in their excessive reliance on personal prestige, security, and romantic attachments. It suggests that by depending entirely on these external factors for emotional security, individuals become vulnerable to disappointment and depression when things go wrong. This dependence on people and situations is deemed to be an immense and detrimental fallacy that leads to conflict, as unrealistic demands are placed on circumstances and individuals. The quote proposes that the only reliable source of absolute dependence is found in God, suggesting a shift towards a deeper and more stable foundation for emotional security.