Meaning & Analysis
The most pleasing scent a woman can have is no scent at all, valuing a natural state over the use of artificial perfumes or fragrances.
Insights
Authenticity over Artifice
The proverb champions authenticity and naturalness over artifice. The 'smell of nothing' symbolizes an unadorned, genuine character that does not rely on external enhancements or pretense to be valued.
The Virtue of Subtlety
It promotes the virtue of subtlety and modesty. A strong, overpowering scent is seen as ostentatious, whereas the 'best' quality is to be pleasant without being intrusive or demanding attention.
Purity and Transparency
The absence of scent is metaphorically linked to purity and integrity. It suggests that true virtue is clean, simple, and has nothing to hide, while artificial scents might conceal something undesirable.
Historical Ideals of Purity
The proverb reflects a long-standing classical and Renaissance ideal, cited from Plautus and Cicero, that equates female virtue with naturalness and a lack of artifice. In many historical contexts, strong perfumes were associated with vanity, moral laxity, or the masking of disease, making the absence of scent a signifier of purity and honesty.
Gender and Social Norms
This proverb reveals a significant gender bias, prescribing a standard of unobtrusiveness for women. It suggests that a woman's ideal presence is one that is not assertive or attention-seeking, linking sensory subtlety to social and moral propriety.
Psychology of Authenticity
Psychologically, the proverb touches on the idea that neutral or natural scents are perceived as more trustworthy than artificial ones. An artificial scent can be interpreted as a form of misdirection or a mask, creating a subconscious barrier, whereas a lack of scent implies transparency and authenticity.
Rhetorical Devices
Paradox
The core of the proverb is a paradox: the best quality of a thing (smell) is defined by its absence ('nothing'). This creates a memorable and thought-provoking statement.
Symbolism
'Smell' is used as a powerful symbol for a woman's overall character, presence, and social presentation. 'Nothing' symbolizes purity, naturalness, and authenticity.
Repetition
The repetition of the word 'smells' creates a strong rhythmic and emphatic quality, reinforcing the proverb's central message.
Transcription
Quotations
Plautus saieth, A woman euer smelleth best whan she smelleth of nothing.
Hee smelleth best, that doth of nothing smell.
As the Proverb is, They smell best that smell of nothing.
As Tully saith of women, They smell best which smell of nothing.
Cross References
- See Otto, no. 1156.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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