Summary
Montaigne uses the seemingly simple topic of smells to explore a profound truth about human nature: authenticity beats artifice every time. He argues that the best smell is no smell at all—that natural, unadorned presence is more appealing than heavy perfumes meant to mask or enhance. This isn't just about personal hygiene; it's a metaphor for how we present ourselves to the world. Montaigne observes that people who rely heavily on artificial enhancements (whether perfumes, personas, or pretenses) are often trying to hide something lacking in their natural state. He shares personal observations about his own heightened sensitivity to smells, noting how scents cling to him and affect his mood and health. This sensitivity becomes a superpower of sorts—helping him detect both genuine and false elements in his environment. The essay reveals Montaigne's belief that our natural instincts and authentic selves are more powerful tools for navigating life than any artificial enhancement. He connects this to broader themes of health, relationships, and social interaction. When we trust our natural responses and present our genuine selves, we're more likely to attract the right people and opportunities. The chapter also touches on how our environment shapes us—Montaigne chooses where to live based partly on air quality, recognizing that our surroundings directly impact our well-being. This practical wisdom applies to modern life: trust your gut reactions, value authenticity over image, and pay attention to how different environments and people make you feel.
Coming Up in Chapter 56
From the physical realm of scents, Montaigne turns to the spiritual practice of prayer, examining how we communicate with the divine and what our prayers reveal about our deepest desires and fears.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
OF SMELLS It has been reported of some, as of Alexander the Great, that their sweat exhaled an odoriferous smell, occasioned by some rare and extraordinary constitution, of which Plutarch and others have been inquisitive into the cause. But the ordinary constitution of human bodies is quite otherwise, and their best and chiefest excellency is to be exempt from smell. Nay, the sweetness even of the purest breath has nothing in it of greater perfection than to be without any offensive smell, like those of healthful children, which made Plautus say of a woman: “Mulier tum bene olet, ubi nihil olet.” [“She smells sweetest, who smells not at all.” --Plautus, Mostel, i. 3, 116.] And such as make use of fine exotic perfumes are with good reason to be suspected of some natural imperfection which they endeavour by these odours to conceal. To smell, though well, is to stink: “Rides nos, Coracine, nil olentes Malo, quam bene olere, nil olere.” [“You laugh at us, Coracinus, because we are not scented; I would, rather than smell well, not smell at all.”--Martial, vi. 55, 4.] And elsewhere: “Posthume, non bene olet, qui bene semper olet.” [“Posthumus, he who ever smells well does not smell well.” --Idem, ii. 12, 14.] I am nevertheless a great lover of good smells, and as much abominate the ill ones, which also I scent at a greater distance, I think, than other men: “Namque sagacius unus odoror, Polypus, an gravis hirsutis cubet hircus in aliis Quam canis acer, ubi latest sus.” [“My nose is quicker to scent a fetid sore or a rank armpit, than a dog to smell out the hidden sow.”--Horace, Epod., xii. 4.] Of smells, the simple and natural seem to me the most pleasing. Let the ladies look to that, for ‘tis chiefly their concern: amid the most profound barbarism, the Scythian women, after bathing, were wont to powder and crust their faces and all their bodies with a certain odoriferous drug growing in their country, which being cleansed off, when they came to have familiarity with men they were found perfumed and sleek. ‘Tis not to be believed how strangely all sorts of odours cleave to me, and how apt my skin is to imbibe them. He that complains of nature that she has not furnished mankind with a vehicle to convey smells to the nose had no reason; for they will do it themselves, especially to me; my very mustachios, which are full, perform that office; for if I stroke them but with my gloves or handkerchief, the smell will not out a whole day; they manifest where I have been, and the close, luscious, devouring, viscid melting kisses of youthful ardour in my wanton age left a sweetness upon my lips for several hours after. And yet I have ever found myself little subject to epidemic diseases, that are caught, either by conversing with the sick or bred by the contagion of the air, and have escaped from those of...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Authentic Presence
Natural, unadorned presence consistently outperforms artificial enhancement in building trust and attraction.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when someone is putting on a show versus being genuinely themselves, and why authenticity creates stronger connections.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone feels 'off' despite saying all the right things—trust that gut reaction and observe what your instincts are picking up on.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Natural constitution
A person's inborn physical and emotional makeup - their default state without artificial enhancement. Montaigne believed our natural state is usually superior to what we try to create artificially.
Modern Usage:
We see this in the 'no makeup' movement and authentic personal branding on social media.
Exotic perfumes
Expensive, artificial scents used to mask natural odors or create an impression. In Montaigne's time, these were luxury items that suggested someone was trying to hide their true nature.
Modern Usage:
Today this applies to any artificial enhancement we use to project a false image - from heavy makeup to fake social media personas.
Olfactory sensitivity
Having a heightened sense of smell that allows you to detect things others miss. Montaigne saw this as both a gift and a burden that made him more aware of his environment.
Modern Usage:
We use this concept when talking about people who are highly sensitive to their surroundings or have strong intuition about situations.
Classical quotations
References to ancient Roman writers like Plautus and Martial that educated people of Montaigne's era used to support their arguments. These showed learning and cultural sophistication.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how we quote movies, songs, or memes to make our points more relatable and show we're culturally aware.
Suspicion of artifice
The belief that people who rely heavily on artificial enhancements are probably trying to hide flaws or inadequacies. Montaigne thought authenticity was more attractive than pretense.
Modern Usage:
We see this in how we judge heavily filtered Instagram photos or people who seem 'too perfect' - we instinctively wonder what they're hiding.
Environmental sensitivity
Being physically affected by your surroundings - air quality, scents, atmosphere. Montaigne chose where to live based on how places made him feel physically and emotionally.
Modern Usage:
This shows up in how certain workplaces, neighborhoods, or even friend groups either energize us or drain us.
Characters in This Chapter
Alexander the Great
Historical example
Montaigne mentions Alexander as someone whose natural body odor was supposedly sweet and pleasant without perfume. This supports his argument that the best people smell good naturally.
Modern Equivalent:
The naturally charismatic person who doesn't need to try hard to be appealing
Plutarch
Ancient authority
A Greek historian who investigated why some people naturally smell good. Montaigne uses him as a credible source to back up his observations about natural versus artificial scents.
Modern Equivalent:
The researcher or expert whose studies everyone quotes to prove their point
Plautus
Classical wit
Roman playwright whose quote 'She smells sweetest who smells not at all' perfectly captures Montaigne's philosophy. His humor makes the point more memorable.
Modern Equivalent:
The comedian whose one-liner perfectly sums up what everyone's thinking
Martial
Satirical poet
Roman poet who mocked people for using too much perfume. Montaigne quotes him to show this preference for natural over artificial has ancient roots.
Modern Equivalent:
The social media influencer who calls out fake behavior and artificial trends
Key Quotes & Analysis
"She smells sweetest, who smells not at all"
Context: Used to support the argument that natural, unscented people are more appealing than those who use artificial fragrances
This quote captures Montaigne's core belief that authenticity trumps artifice. It suggests that trying too hard to be appealing often backfires, and that our natural state is usually our best state.
In Today's Words:
The most attractive people are those who aren't trying too hard to be attractive
"Such as make use of fine exotic perfumes are with good reason to be suspected of some natural imperfection"
Context: Explaining why he's suspicious of people who rely heavily on artificial scents
This reveals Montaigne's belief that heavy artificial enhancement usually indicates someone is trying to hide flaws. It shows his preference for authenticity and his distrust of pretense.
In Today's Words:
When someone's trying way too hard to impress you, they're probably covering up something they don't want you to see
"I am nevertheless a great lover of good smells, and as much abominate the ill ones"
Context: Describing his own heightened sensitivity to scents
This shows Montaigne's self-awareness about his own sensitivities and how they affect his daily life. He's not against pleasant scents, just artificial ones that mask natural odors.
In Today's Words:
I love when things smell good naturally, but fake or bad smells really bother me
Thematic Threads
Authenticity
In This Chapter
Montaigne argues that natural presence without artificial enhancement is more appealing and trustworthy than heavy perfumes or personas
Development
Introduced here as core principle
In Your Life:
You might notice feeling more comfortable around people who seem genuinely themselves versus those who seem to be performing a role.
Instinct
In This Chapter
Montaigne's heightened sensitivity to smells becomes a tool for detecting genuine versus false elements in his environment
Development
Introduced here as navigation tool
In Your Life:
You might recognize that your gut feelings about people and situations are often more accurate than your logical analysis.
Environment
In This Chapter
Montaigne chooses where to live based on air quality, recognizing that surroundings directly impact well-being
Development
Introduced here as practical wisdom
In Your Life:
You might start paying more attention to how different places and people make you feel physically and emotionally.
Social Masks
In This Chapter
Heavy perfumes and artificial enhancements are seen as attempts to hide natural deficiencies or insecurities
Development
Introduced here as warning sign
In Your Life:
You might notice when you or others are using external things to compensate for feeling inadequate inside.
Health
In This Chapter
Montaigne connects his sensitivity to smells with his overall health and mood, showing how environment affects well-being
Development
Introduced here as holistic approach
In Your Life:
You might start recognizing how your physical environment directly impacts your mental and emotional state.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does Montaigne mean when he says 'the best smell is no smell at all'? What is he really arguing about how we should present ourselves?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Montaigne connect heavy perfume use to insecurity or trying to hide something? What pattern is he identifying about artificial enhancement?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this 'authenticity versus artifice' pattern playing out today—at work, on social media, or in relationships?
application • medium - 4
Think about someone you trust versus someone who makes you feel uneasy. How might Montaigne's ideas about detecting genuine versus fake help explain those gut reactions?
application • deep - 5
Montaigne chooses where to live based partly on air quality, recognizing that environment affects well-being. What does this teach us about paying attention to how places and people make us feel?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
The Authenticity Audit
Think about three different versions of yourself: how you act at work, with family, and on social media. Write down what feels most natural versus what feels like performance. Notice where you're adding 'perfume'—extra layers to impress or hide—and where you're comfortable just being yourself.
Consider:
- •Which version of yourself feels most effortless and energizing?
- •Where do you feel pressure to 'enhance' or perform, and what might that signal?
- •How do people respond differently to your authentic versus performed self?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you dropped the performance and just showed up as yourself. What happened? How did people respond, and how did it feel?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 56: The Sacred and the Profane in Prayer
As the story unfolds, you'll explore to recognize when we're using spiritual practices as mere performance rather than genuine devotion, while uncovering consistency between our actions and our prayers matters more than the frequency of our prayers. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.