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Diotimos Library · Journals, Notebooks & Fragments Collection · Bilingual Edition

Joseph Joubert

The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I

Complete Notebooks · French with an independent English translation.

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The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I[ON KANT.] · Entry 2171

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English Page · Branch 2171 of 3781

[ON KANT.] · Entry 2171

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French

p. 4341

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Le mot de Hume sur le lien de la cause et de l’effet le frappa. Il se sentit réveiller de son assoupissement scientifique et son esprit se dégourdit de la froide langueur où il étoit tombé depuis longtemps.

« Puisque ma destinée est d’aimer la métaphysique (dit-il ailleurs) et de l’aimer uniquement. »

4341

The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: [ON KANT.]

p. 4342

*

Hume’s remark on the link between cause and effect struck him. He felt himself awaken from his scientific drowsiness, and his mind shook off the cold languor into which it had long since fallen.

“Since my destiny is to love metaphysics (he says elsewhere) and to love it alone.”

4342

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.