"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 (The Thorn Birds)

"When we press the thorn to our chest we know, we understand, and still we do it."
— Colleen McCullough (The Thorn Birds)

"What was sleep? A blessing, a respite from life, an echo of death, a demanding nuisance? "
— Colleen McCullough (The Thorn Birds)

"...she looked like the sort of woman most men would want to get to know because they weren't sure what went on inside."
— Colleen McCullough (The Ladies of Missalonghi)

""Love and hate are cruel, only liking is kind""
— Colleen McCullough (Caesar's Women)

"There was some justice in his pain"
— Colleen McCullough (The Thorn Birds)

"It's not worth getting upset about, Mrs. Dominic. Down in the city they don't know how the other half lives, and they can afford the luxury of doting on their animals as if they were children. Out here it's different. You'll never see man, woman or child in need of help go ignored out here, yet in the city those same people who dote on their pets will completely ignore a cry of help from a human being. "
— Colleen McCullough (The Thorn Birds)

"Best of all she liked his eyes, such a translucent golden brown, and so laughing."
— Colleen McCullough (The Ladies of Missalonghi)