The Benefits of Odor

Daniel said that Arsenius only changed the water for his palm leaves once a year, otherwise he just added to it. He would make a plait of palm leaves and weave it until noon. The elders asked him why he would not change the water for the palm leaves, which was stinking.

He said to them, "When I was in the world I used incense and sweet-smelling ointments, so now I profit by this stink."