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 2052 of 3781
TRAVEL · Entry 2052
French
p. 410329 décembre.
Condillac. « Je me sers de cette hypothèse (dit-il) parce qu’elle est commode pour faire entendre ma pensée. » D’ailleurs, si elle n’est pas exactement conforme à la vérité, elle ne s’en éloigne pas de beaucoup. « Car (ajoute t’il) il ne peut y avoir dans le cerveau que du mouvement. » S’il y a mouvement, il peut y avoir aussi disposition. S’il y a disposition, on peut y supposer figure, donc cachet, empreinte, etc. N’admettez-vous pas vous même quelque impression etc...? Ils sont sans cesse obligés de recourir aux métaphores qu’ils proscrivent.
« On préférera toujours (dit-il) Malebranche à Locke »...
Il est clair en ce cas (selon vous) que le genre humain n’est pas fait pour la philosophie. Faisons donc la philosophie pour le genre humain en nous rendant, nous, intelligibles à tous les bons esprits.
O métaphysicaillerie! —
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: TRAVEL
p. 4104December 29.
Condillac. “I use this hypothesis (he says) because it is convenient for making my thought understood.” Besides, if it does not conform exactly to truth, it does not depart far from it. “For (he adds) there can be only movement in the brain.” If there is movement, there can also be disposition. If there is disposition, one can suppose figure there, hence seal, imprint, etc. Do you not yourself admit some impression etc...? They are ceaselessly obliged to have recourse to the metaphors they proscribe.
“One will always prefer (he says) Malebranche to Locke”...
It is clear in that case (according to you) that mankind is not made for philosophy. Let us therefore make philosophy for mankind by making ourselves, for our part, intelligible to all sound minds.
O metaphysical fiddle-faddle! —
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I · TRAVEL · Entry 2052
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.