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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Facing Pages · Branch 1463 of 3781
YEAR 1799 · Entry 1463
French
p. 2925Et voici ce qui arrive alors. Par une espèce d’abstraction physique (si l’on peut ainsi s’exprimer), par (dis-je) une espèce d’abstraction physique dont l’habitude donne la facilité et qui s’opère par un certain mélange qui se fait de la présence unie à l’inattention, ils apperçoivent ou sentent les objets provoquants sans en éprouver l’appétit, comme il leur arrive en d’autres occasions de sentir ou d’appercevoir des objets dégoûtans sans éprouver même l’idée de ce qui peut en eux exciter la répugnance et le soulèvement. Les pointes de ce qui cause en nous l’aversion et le plaisir sont en ce cas émoussées absolument quoique la flèche en soit entière et que nous en soyons frappés. (à Pontarlier, à la descente.)
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: YEAR 1799
p. 2926And here is what happens then. Through a kind of physical abstraction (if one may speak so), through, I say, a kind of physical abstraction that habit makes easy and that takes place through a certain mixture of presence joined with inattention, they perceive or feel provocative objects without feeling an appetite for them, as on other occasions they happen to feel or perceive disgusting objects without even experiencing the idea of what in them can arouse repugnance and revulsion. The points of what causes aversion and pleasure in us are then completely blunted, although the arrow remains whole and we are struck by it. (at Pontarlier, on the descent.)
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I · YEAR 1799 · Entry 1463
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.