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 1346 of 3781
YEAR 1799 · Entry 1346
French
p. 26917 mai, réveil, le soir...
Si les trophées étoient sacrés avec raison, il est lâche, il est lâche il est tyrannique d’attaquer dans des temps ou dans des lieux où personne ne peut les défendre des opinions qui ont régné et qui ont servi longtemps de trophée à la sagesse des temps anciens. C’est là chercher un vrai triomphe de goujat, c’est ne se battre qu’à jeu sûr.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: YEAR 1799
p. 2692May 7, on waking, in the evening...
If trophies were rightly sacred, it is cowardly, it is cowardly it is tyrannical to attack, in times or places where no one can defend them, opinions that have reigned and long served as a trophy to the wisdom of ancient times. That is to seek a true lout’s triumph, to fight only when sure of winning.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I · YEAR 1799 · Entry 1346
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.