Quote of the Day — 2026-08-10

A child should always say what's true and speak when he is spoken to, and behave mannerly at table; at least as far as he is able.

About Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) was a Scottish novelist, poet, and travel writer best known for adventure classics 'Treasure Island' and 'Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.' Born in Edinburgh to a family of lighthouse engineers, he suffered from chronic lung illness throughout his life, which drove him to seek healthier climates and fueled extensive travels that inspired much of his writing. Though trained in law, Stevenson abandoned the profession for literature, achieving his first major success with 'Treasure Island' in 1883, a tale that helped define the modern pirate adventure story. His 1886 novella 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' explored the duality of human nature with such psychological force that the phrase 'Jekyll and Hyde' entered everyday language. Seeking relief from tuberculosis, Stevenson eventually settled in Samoa in the South Pacific, where he was deeply respected by the local population, who called him Tusitala, 'teller of tales.' He died suddenly of a suspected stroke at forty-four, and remains celebrated for his gift of vivid, propulsive storytelling.

Historical context

In Victorian Britain, childhood was increasingly shaped by explicit moral and behavioral expectations. As literacy expanded and children's literature developed into a recognized genre, writers frequently engaged with themes of truthfulness, self-restraint, and proper etiquette. Moral instruction for young people was a central focus of nineteenth-century family life, balancing strict social standards with an awareness of a child's inherent limitations. Writing during this period, Robert Louis Stevenson contributed significantly to juvenile literature by exploring childhood experience with both humor and empathy. Over time, statements summarizing traditional rules of conduct for children became widespread cultural maxims, reflecting Victorian ideals about discipline and decorum.