For to tell the truth is not in itself diplomatic, and to have no care for the result a thing involuntary

Question

(From The Wrecker by Robert Louis Stevenson and Lloyd Osbourne, Chapter XVI, published 1892)

Passage 257

Indeed, I believe that was my only reason for entering upon a transaction which was now outside my interest, but which (as it chanced) repaid me fifty-fold in entertainment. Fowler and Sharpe were both preternaturally sharp; they did me the honour in the beginning to attribute to myself their proper vices; and before we were done had grown to regard me with an esteem akin to worship. This proud position I attained by no more recondite arts, than telling the mere truth and unaffectedly displaying my indifference to the result. I have doubtless stated the essentials of all good diplomacy, which may be rather regarded, therefore, as a grace of state, than the effect of management. For to tell the truth is not in itself diplomatic, and to have no care for the result a thing involuntary. When I mentioned, for instance, that I had but two hundred and forty pounds of drug, my smugglers exchanged meaning glances, as who should say, “Here is a foeman worthy of our steel!” But when I carelessly proposed thirty-five dollars a pound, as an amendment to their offered twenty, and wound up with the remark: “The whole thing is a matter of moonshine to me, gentlemen. Take it or want it, and fill your glasses”—I had the indescribable gratification to see Sharpe nudge Fowler warningly, and Fowler choke down the jovial acceptance that stood ready on his lips, and lamely substitute a “No—no more wine, please, Mr. Dodd!” Nor was this all: for when the affair was settled at thirty dollars a pound—a shrewd stroke of business for my creditors—and our friends had got on board their whaleboat and shoved off, it appeared they were imperfectly acquainted with the conveyance of sound upon still water, and I had the joy to overhear the following testimonial. . .

I have an issue with the word 'involuntary' in this context. I think I know all meanings of 'involuntary' but I'm not able to decide what meaning is meant by the author/speaker there - does it mean spontaneous, forced, unintentional etc.? What does 'involuntary' mean in this context?

Answer 1

Of the definitions listed at Merriam-Webster, the only possible meaning of "involuntary" in this context is:

1 : done contrary to or without choice

The other two definitions are:

2 : compulsory
3 : not subject to control of the will : reflex

It doesn't mean compulsory, and it's not referring to a nervous reflex action.

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IMO, it's a matter of opinion what that sentence is intended to mean, because it literally says that being indifferent to the result is involuntary, but in the context he purposefully makes a show of his indifference, so I doubt he "decided" to feel indifferent, which is the opposite of "involuntary". This leads me to believe the correct parse might include the negation from the first clause ("not") in the elided portion of the second. As in:

For to tell the truth is not in itself diplomatic, and neither is to have no care for the result involuntary. (meaning indifference it is not involuntary)