Meaning & Analysis
The proverb literally means that a piece of writing or a speech has the scent of a candle or lamp oil, implying it was created by someone working late into the night.
Insights
Evidence of Laborious Study
The work is the result of intense, prolonged, and studious effort. It was not created spontaneously but was meticulously crafted, often through late-night study.
Lack of Naturalness
As a potential criticism, it suggests a work is overly academic, lacks spontaneity, or seems unnatural and artificial due to excessive polishing and refinement.
Compliment for Diligence
In a positive sense, the proverb indicates that a work is thoughtful, well-researched, and demonstrates commendable diligence and intellectual depth on the part of its creator.
Classical Rhetorical Context
Originating from a classical critique of the orator Demosthenes, the proverb initially served as an insult, suggesting a work was the product of laborious craft rather than natural genius. This reflects the high value ancient Greek and Roman rhetoric placed on seeming effortlessness.
Evolution of Meaning
While initially a criticism, the proverb evolved to carry a complimentary meaning, praising a work for its depth, diligence, and scholarly rigor. This shift reflects a growing appreciation for intellectual labor and thoroughness, particularly from the Renaissance onward.
Psychology of Effort and Talent
The proverb touches on the psychological tension between visible effort and perceived talent. It exposes a cultural bias that sometimes devalues hard work in favor of 'natural' ability, questioning whether the evidence of labor diminishes the final product's value.
Sensory and Intellectual Connection
The proverb's olfactory metaphor connects the abstract quality of intellectual work to the physical, sensory world. This grounding in a common experience—the smell of a lamp or candle—makes the concept of scholarly labor immediate and tangible.
Rhetorical Devices
Olfactory Metaphor
The abstract concept of intellectual labor is conveyed through the concrete, physical scent of a candle or lamp, creating a powerful and memorable sensory image.
Symbolism
The 'candle' or 'lamp' serves as a potent symbol for scholarly activity, representing the solitary, often nocturnal, dedication required for deep study and creation.
Historical Allusion
The proverb's meaning is deeply enriched by its historical allusion to the classical orator Demosthenes, whose rival claimed his speeches 'smelt of the lamp' to discredit them as overworked.
Transcription
Quotations
Lucernam olet.
One Pythias obiected to Demosthenes, that his argumentes .. smelled all of the candle: signifying, that he pronounced none oracion but out of writyng, and made with greate studie, by candle in the night tyme.
[They] will not sticke to say behinde my backe that this little volume of mine smelleth of the oyle and candle (as Pythias the Oratour sometime reported of the workes of Demosthenes).
Olet lucernam.
Some compositions .. smell of the oile, and of the lampe, by reason of a certaine harshnesse .. which long plodding labour imprints in them that be much elaborated.
Aeschines .. told him, That his orations did smell of the lamp.
A well labour'd Sermon .. that smelt of the Candle.
A Worke not smelling of the Lampe, to night, But fitted for your Maiesties disport.
I thank you heartily for your last Letter, in regard I found it smelt of the Lamp.
A work of this nature .. should smel of oyl, if duly and deservedly handled.
It smells of the lamp; a studied piece.
Cross References
Annotations
- A Prouerbe aptlie to be applied vnto those, which bestowe great labour in bringing vnto vnderstanding things vnowen vnto them: but it is rather to be applied to the industrie of the mind, than otherwise.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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