Cow and horse dung, as muckgoes, are relatively agreeable…
“Cow and horse dung, as muckgoes, are relatively agreeable. You can even become nostalgic about them. They smell of fermented grain, and on the far side of their smell there is hay and grass. Chicken shit is disagreeable and rasps the throat because of the quantity of ammonia. When you are cleaning out the henhouse, you're glad to go to the door and take a deep breath of fresh air. Pig and human excrement, however, smell the worst because men and pigs are carnivorous and their appetites are indiscriminate. The smell includes the sickeningly sweet one of decay. And on the far side of it is death.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage contrasts the sensory experiences of different animal wastes, linking smell to memory, nostalgia, and existential reflections on life and death.
In simple terms: Different wastes evoke varied feelings, from nostalgia to disgust, tied to deeper thoughts about existence.
Key Takeaway
Notice how sensory details can trigger profound contemplation.
Themes
sensory perception
nostalgia
existentialism
human-animal comparison
mortality
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
analytical
Type
descriptive
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing about nature
- personal reflection
- philosophical essays
Key Concepts
olfactory symbolism
memory triggers
philosophical reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- How do everyday smells shape your worldview?
- Can scent truly connect us to deeper truths?
A Different Perspective
The analogy may oversimplify complex emotional responses to smells.