Bathed in sweat and trembling with agitation, no, not with agitation, but with fear, for he finally admitted it to himself: it was naked fear that had seized him, and in admitting it he grew calmer and his thoughts clearer.

He had escaped the abhorrent taint! He was truly completely alone! He was the only human being in the world!

He who ruled scent ruled the hearts of men.

When they finally did dare it, at first with stolen glances and then candid ones, they had to smile. They were uncommonly proud. For the first time they had done something out of Love.

Odors have a power of persuasion stronger than that of words, appearances, emotions, or will. The persuasive power of an odor cannot be fended off, it enters into us like breath into our lungs, it fills us up, imbues us totally. There is no remedy for it.

...talent means nothing, while experience, acquired in humility and with hard work, means everything.

He decided in favor of life out of sheer spite and malice.