“Truth to the fact and a good spirit in the treatment”. Lying and Truth in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Pivotal Years

Abstract

In his writings during the period 1878–81 Robert Louis Stevenson explored the nature of truth and lies in conversation, in literature, and in history, criticism, and journalism. He distinguished between “truth of fact” and “truth of sentiment,” recognising that we can never express more than a partial point of view, but must remain true to that point of view, being open and sympathetic and vibrant in expressing the partial truths we try to pass on to others.