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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French Page · Branch 2389 of 3781
[LOCKE] · Entry 2389
French
p. 4777[…] février.
Contrastes. Ne plaisent et ne sont beaux qu’autant qu’ils participent (et ne sont en effet) de celui qui se trouve en nous entre l’âme et le corps, l’esprit et la matière. Lors donc qu’il y a dans quelque objet ou dans quelque ouvrage quelque chose qui est propre à frapper l’esprit et les sens, en sorte que l’esprit domine, l’objet et l’ouvrage sont beaux.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: [LOCKE]
p. 4778February […].
Contrasts. They please and are beautiful only insofar as they partake (and in fact are not) of the one within us between soul and body, mind and matter. Thus, when in some object or some work there is something suited to striking the mind and the senses, in such a way that the mind dominates, the object and the work are beautiful.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I · [LOCKE] · Entry 2389
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.