Diotimos Library · Journals, Notebooks & Fragments Collection · Bilingual Edition
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I
Complete Notebooks · French with an independent English translation.
Explore the LexiconSwipe or use the arrow keys.
English Page · Branch 1363 of 3781
YEAR 1799 · Entry 1363
French
p. 272529 mai.
Qu’à proprement parler il n’y a de substance que l’esprit; que l’apparence terrestre est accident; que ce qui naît du point de contact entre les choses diverses et nous (c’est-à-dire les sensations, les idées, le jeu ou illusion), est non seulement réel comme le feu qui sort par la rencontre d’un corps dur et du caillou, mais est encore une réalité finale et pour laquelle les réalités palpables existent; que le plus incomplet de tous les calculs philosophiques est celui qui ne considère une telle quantité que comme un zéro peu important, accidentel.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: YEAR 1799
p. 2726May 29.
That, strictly speaking, there is no substance but spirit; that earthly appearance is accident; that what is born at the point of contact between the various things and ourselves (that is, sensations, ideas, play or illusion) is not only real, like the fire that springs from the meeting of a hard body and flint, but is also a final reality, for whose sake palpable realities exist; that the most incomplete of all philosophical calculations is the one that considers such a quantity merely an insignificant, accidental zero.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I · YEAR 1799 · Entry 1363
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.