How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
It is a touching story, and it is written more to convince than to tell. I am not convinced. No way, not at all. Not at all. (1.8.13)
James is talking about the story of the founder of AA here. He doesn't believe the man's addition-to-recovery tale. Is that a little ironic? Someone who doesn't tell the truth criticizing someone else for not telling the truth?
Quote #2
Remember the truth. It is all that matters. (1.8.204)
James says this after imagining a pretty grim obituary for himself that doesn't include anything positive in it at all. He seems to think that "Truth" is synonymous with "only the bad stuff."
Quote #3
Life is hard, Kid, you gotta be harder […] There is an anger and there is a hardness and there is a resolve. (1.8.405)
Leonard speaks what James believes is the truth, and that's why James follows him instead of the Twelve Steps. Leonard's philosophy is the truth, and as James said above, that's all that matters.