There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine. And, dying, it rises above its own agony to outcarol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price. But the whole world stills to listen, and God in His heaven smiles. For the best is only bought at the cost of great pain… Or so says the legend. . Colleen McCullough
About This Quote

Many of us believe that the ultimate purpose of life is to find happiness and to keep it. We may think that we can never be truly happy, and we go through life searching for some kind of external object we can grasp onto in order to make us feel fulfilled. Some people place more importance on money, while others set their sights on fame and power. The truth is that the right kind of happiness cannot be bought or given away.

It can only be achieved through struggle and sacrifice. Only through struggle, struggle alone, can we achieve the level of happiness that is rightfully ours.

Source: The Thorn Birds

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