3577. 'Like the odour of the field' means as the good ground from which truth is acquired. This is clear from the meaning of 'the odour of the field' as the perception of truth acquired from good, like the scent from the harvest in the field - 'the field' meaning good ground, see 3500. The reason 'odour' means perception is that all the delight that good yields and all the pleasantness that truth gives, which people perceive in the next life, also manifest themselves there as corresponding odours, see 1514, 1517-1519. From this and from correspondences it is evident that 'odour' is nothing else than the power of perception, though a natural power of perception corresponding to a spiritual power of it.

1517. I once perceived an odor of wine, and I was told that it came from those who, out of friendship and love that is lawful, endear themselves, so that truth also is contained within their endearing words and actions. There is much variety of this odor, and it derives from the sphere of true courteousness.