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 1008 of 3781
YEAR 1798 · Entry 1008
French
p. 20154 juin.
Il disoit : — Gardez-vous de traiter comme contesté ce qui doit être regardé comme incontestable. Ne rendez pas justiciable du raisonnement ce qui est du ressort du sens intime; exposez et ne prouvez pas les vérités de sentiment.
Il disoit encore : — Il y a du danger dans les preuves. En argumentant, il est nécessaire de supposer problématique ce qui est en question. Ce qu’on s’accoutume à supposer problématique finit par paroître douteux.
Toutes les preuves possibles d’un fait réel sont moins certaines que le fait. Il disoit enfin : — Dans ce qui est visible et palpable, ne prouvez jamais ce qui est cru. Dans ce qui est certain et caché par sa grandeur et sa nature, faites croire et ne prouvez pas. Dans ce qui est pratique et devoir, ordonnez et n’expliquez pas. Crains Dieu a rendu des hommes pieux. Les preuves de l’existence de Dieu ont fait beaucoup d’hommes athées.
Tout plaidailleur rend chicaneur, et on passe presque toujours du désir de contredire le docteur au désir de contredire la doctrine. Les armes avec lesquelles (l’audace avec laquelle) on deffend la vérité excite une audace contraire. Les bravades de ses champions lui ont fait beaucoup d’ennemis. Les défis font naître l’attaque. Parez-la et ne l’armez pas : on lui faira bien moins la guerre.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: YEAR 1798
p. 2016June 4.
He said: — Take care not to treat as disputed what ought to be regarded as indisputable. Do not place under the jurisdiction of reasoning what belongs to the province of inner sense; set forth and do not prove the truths of feeling.
He also said: — There is danger in proofs. In arguing, one must suppose what is in question to be problematic. What one becomes accustomed to supposing problematic ends by seeming doubtful.
All possible proofs of a real fact are less certain than the fact. Finally he said: — In what is visible and palpable, never prove what is believed. In what is certain and hidden by its greatness and its nature, make people believe and do not prove. In what is practice and duty, command and do not explain. Fear God has made men pious. Proofs of God’s existence have made many men atheists.
Every petty pleader makes people quarrelsome, and one almost always passes from the desire to contradict the doctor to the desire to contradict the doctrine. The weapons with which (the audacity with which) one defends truth provoke an opposing audacity. Her champions’ bravado has made her many enemies. Challenges give rise to attack. Adorn her and do not arm her: far less war will be made upon her.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I · YEAR 1798 · Entry 1008
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.