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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[LOCKE] · Entry 2441
French
p. 488118 mars.
(Lecture de la Théorie du Pouvoir, tome 2ᵉ.)
On pourroit dire : « Je ne scai pas si cela est vrai pour Dieu, mais cela est évident pour nous. »
Il y a vouloir (c’est à dire plus que tendance) dans les animaux; mais vouloir est peut-être moins que volonté.
... Il faudroit en effet faire admirer d’abord les effets d’une machine et faire naître une vive curiosité avant d’exposer à l’attention le méchanisme des rouages.
... Et à ce propos observons que les écrivains à systhèmes présentent ordinairement (et à tort) leurs opinions à leurs lecteurs dans un ordre inverse de celui où eux même les ont reçues.
Et observons aussi que la manière dont chaque esprit opère en secret (sa méthode) est analogue à son caractère particulier, à ses habitudes. Donc etc. Donc, veux-je dire, il vaudroit mieux dans la manière (ou méthode) d’exposer ses opinions, avoir égard au caractère commun et aux habitudes des autres esprits qu’à ce qui nous est particulier; ou du moins il faudroit assortir ce qui nous est original à ce qui est original aux autres.
... Il a tort de faire de Locke le chef des philosophes sensualistes. Si Locke s’occupa des sens, ce n’étoit pas par goût, mais par besoin pour son systhème. Au lieu que ses successeurs ne se sont occupés de la pensée que pour admirer les propriétés des sens.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: [LOCKE]
p. 4882March 18.
(Reading the Théorie du Pouvoir, volume 2.)
One could say: “I do not know whether that is true for God, but it is evident to us.”
There is wanting (that is, more than tendency) in animals; but wanting is perhaps less than will.
... One ought indeed to make people admire the effects of a machine first and awaken a lively curiosity before setting the mechanism of its gears before their attention.
... And on this subject let us observe that writers with systems usually (and wrongly) present their opinions to their readers in an order opposite to the one in which they themselves received them.
And let us also observe that the way each mind works in secret (its method) is analogous to its particular character, to its habits. Therefore etc. Therefore, I mean, it would be better, in the manner (or method) of setting forth one’s opinions, to consider the common character and habits of other minds rather than what is peculiar to oneself; or at least one should suit what is original in oneself to what is original in others.
... He is wrong to make Locke the head of the sensualist philosophers. If Locke concerned himself with the senses, it was not from taste but from the needs of his system. Whereas his successors have concerned themselves with thought only to admire the properties of the senses.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I · [LOCKE] · Entry 2441
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.