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 1842 of 3781
[On movement.] · Entry 1842
French
p. 3683Le mensonge de Sophronie (dont le Tasse a dit : « O magnanime mensonge! Quelle est la vérité que l’on peut égaler à toi! ») Si elle ment, c’est pour la vérité, pour cette vérité : « Un seul l’a fait et un seul doit périr! » Et dans les fables orientales la réponse du courtisan. Il dit que le ciel sera le partage des rois miséricordieux. Il ment aussi, pour cette vérité. Et son prince a raison quand il lui dit : « O mon ami, c’est toi qui dis toujours la vérité. » Ils mentoient, mais ils éclairoient. Ils mentoient et n’égaroient pas. Au contraire, ils redressoient, ils ramenoient.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: [On movement.]
p. 3684Sophronie’s lie (of which Tasso said: “O magnanimous lie! What truth can be equaled to you!”) If she lies, it is for truth, for this truth: “One alone did it, and one alone must perish!” And in the Eastern fables, the courtier’s reply. He says that heaven will be the portion of merciful kings. He too lies, for this truth. And his prince is right when he says to him: “O my friend, it is you who always tell the truth.” They lied, but they enlightened. They lied and did not lead astray. On the contrary, they set right, they brought back.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I · [On movement.] · Entry 1842
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.