Book 3 / Chapter 10
Paragraph 3 - Self-Indulgence and Sensual Delights
Explanation - Part By Part
"Nor do we apply these names to those who delight in odour, unless it be incidentally; we do not call those self-indulgent who delight in the odour of apples or roses or incense, but rather those who delight in the odour of unguents or of dainty dishes; for self-indulgent people delight in these because these remind them of the objects of their appetite."
This part is distinguishing between different kinds of pleasures derived from our sense of smell, and how society perceives them in terms of self-control or indulgence. Aristotle points out that simply enjoying pleasant smells—like those of apples, roses, or incense—doesn't lead people to label someone as "self-indulgent." These kinds of smells don't connect strongly to physical cravings or bodily appetites.
On the other hand, he highlights that people who enjoy the smell of things like rich perfumes ("unguents") or fancy foods may be labeled as self-indulgent because these smells trigger thoughts of satisfying their physical appetites—food, drink, or bodily pleasures. Essentially, it’s not the mere enjoyment of smell itself that matters but whether it's tied to a deeper craving or lack of moderation in indulgence. This reflects Aristotle's broader exploration of how temperance, or self-restraint, applies to our sensory pleasures.
"And one may see even other people, when they are hungry, delighting in the smell of food; but to delight in this kind of thing is the mark of the self-indulgent man; for these are objects of appetite to him."
Aristotle is pointing out that even people who are just hungry can take pleasure in the smell of food—it’s natural. However, if someone takes excessive delight in these smells as a pattern—focusing too much on them because they trigger or amplify their desire for indulgence—this reveals a self-indulgent nature. For self-indulgent individuals, these sensory experiences (like the smell of delicious food) are tied to their overwhelming appetites, as they obsess over satisfying their physical cravings rather than practicing moderation or restraint.