the truth assumes a
fantastic character to
something more than truth
Adapted from Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Something About Lying as published in where Diary of a Writer (Scribners: New York, 1919) where Mr. Dostoesky writes:
In Russia, truth almost invariably assumes a fantastic character.
In fact, men have finally succeeded in converting all that the human mind may lie about and belie into something more comprehensible than truth, and this prevails all over the world.
For centuries truth will lie right on the table before people but they will not take it: they will chase after a fabrication precisely because they look upon it as something fantastic and utopian.
Second, this is a hint at the fact that our wholesale Russian lying suggests that we are all ashamed of ourselves.
Indeed, every one of us carries in him an almost innate shame of himself and of his own face; and the moment Russians find themselves in company, they hasten to appear at all cost something different from what they in reality are;
everyone hastens to assume a different face.
That was in 1873.
According to to AI the main events of 1873were:
Key 1873 Events and Themes:
Economic Crisis: The Panic of 1873 began in September, causing bank failures and massive railroad bankruptcies, initiating a multi-year global depression.
Politics & Policy: Spain became a republic (First Spanish Republic). In the U.S., President Grant began his second term and signed the Coinage Act of 1873, ending bimetallism and establishing the gold standard.
Conflicts & Law: The Modoc War began in the U.S.. The U.S. Congress passed the Comstock Law, outlawing “obscene” materials in the mail. Slavery was abolished in Puerto Rico.
Technological & Social Milestones: E. Remington and Sons began producing the first practical typewriter. Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar.
Scientific Discoveries: Jacobus Henricus van ‘t Hoff and Joseph Achille Le Bel developed a model of chemical bonding, and Willoughby Smith discovered the photoconductivity of selenium.
Notable Disasters: The RMS Atlantic sank, killing over 500 people, and the “Lord’s Day Gale” hurricane struck Nova Scotia, causing massive damage.
Seems pretty mundane to today but they didn’t have 24 hour world wide news did they.
Still, that line… For centuries truth will lie right on the table before people but they will not take it: they will chase after a fabrication precisely because they look upon it as something fantastic and utopian.
Sounds right to home.
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