Diotimos Library · Journals, Notebooks & Fragments Collection · Bilingual Edition
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I
Complete Notebooks · French with an independent English translation.
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English Page · Branch 1145 of 3781
YEAR 1798 · Entry 1145
French
p. 228927 novembre.
Que le métaphysicien n’est pas assés clair s’il n’est pas encore plus clair et plus facile à entendre que le physicien. Car l’un ne peut offrir à l’esprit que des objets qui n’y entrent pas mais qui sont existans (se tiennent réellement) devant son attention, au lieu que l’autre met en lui et me fait concevoir ce qu’il dit en sorte que l’esprit l’étreint, le tient, le possède, le porte en soi. Aussi est-il vrai de dire que ce n’est que par la métaphysique que les physiciens eux-mêmes se font parfaitement entendre à leurs lecteurs. Car pour faire entrer les objets dans l’esprit, il faut en quelque sorte les atténuer, les amenuiser, rendre subtiles leurs qualités ou leurs figures les plus palpables. Car ce qui est palpable et le plus évident aux yeux n’est pas ce qu’il y a de plus connu de l’esprit, à moins que par quelque opération on ne le lui rende ou il ne se le rende à lui-même délié et intellectuel.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: YEAR 1798
p. 2290November 27.
That the metaphysician is not clear enough unless he is clearer still and easier to understand than the natural philosopher. For the one can offer the mind only objects that do not enter it but are existent (really stand) before its attention, whereas the other puts within it and makes me conceive what he says, so that the mind embraces it, holds it, possesses it, carries it within itself. Thus it is true to say that it is only through metaphysics that natural philosophers themselves make themselves perfectly understood by their readers. For to bring objects into the mind, one must in a manner attenuate them, make them finer, render their most palpable qualities or shapes subtle. For what is palpable and most evident to the eyes is not what is best known to the mind, unless by some operation one renders it, or the mind renders it to itself, fine and intellectual.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I · YEAR 1798 · Entry 1145
Ask about a concept, passage, contradiction, or connection.
Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.About This Reading Edition
Joubert’s notebooks return to the work of thinking and writing, the demands of friendship, and questions of faith, beauty and conduct. This edition pairs the French with a new English translation, preserving the order of the chosen source and the unfinished character of its fragments. Dates and source references allow readers to follow a thought through time or return to its printed context.
Historical Text and Translation
The French text follows André Beaunier’s 1938 edition of Les Carnets de Joseph Joubert, published by Gallimard from Joubert’s autograph manuscripts. Volume I presents the entries on printed pages 32–475. French and English are aligned paragraph by paragraph, retaining the source order, printed dates and page references so readers can return to the facsimile.
About Diotimos Editions
Diotimos Editions prepared this new English translation directly from the French, preserving Joubert’s distinctions, recurring images, ambiguities and unfinished thoughts. Translator’s notes clarify wording, references and uncertain readings: Essential keeps notes that help explain a passage, while All includes technical detail. Annotations from the 1938 source edition remain distinct from the new translator’s notes.
Rights
The linked facsimile records identify the French source as public domain in the United States. The new English translation and editorial notes are © 2026 Diotimos, with source annotations and new editorial contributions credited separately. This edition pairs the complete French notebooks with an independent English translation, preserving the distinction between Joubert’s text and its accompanying notes.