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 2789 of 3781
[On Voltaire.] · Entry 2789
French
p. 55772 mars.
Fléchier. Cette élégance où le sublime s’est caché, est éclat tempéré à dessein, cette beauté qui s’est voilée, cette beauté toute en dedans, cette grandeur qui se renferme en peu d’espace, cette hauteur qui s’est réduite au niveau du commun des hommes, ces formes vastes et qui occupent si peu de lieu (telles que notre esprit lui même), ces phrazes qui dans leur brièveté ont tant de sens, ces profondes pensées aussi limpides, aussi claires que ce qui est superficiel, cet art où la nature est toute entière... Plus de franchise, un plus haut vol...
Fléchier. Pourquoi plus estimé il y a 50 ans qu’il ne paroit l’être aujourd’hui. Pourquoi plus goûté en ce temps là. Pourquoi plus loué par Rolin.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: [On Voltaire.]
p. 5578March 2.
Fléchier. This elegance in which the sublime has hidden itself, is radiance deliberately tempered, this beauty that has veiled itself, this beauty wholly within, this grandeur that encloses itself in little space, this height that has reduced itself to the level of the common run of men, these vast forms that take up so little room (like our mind itself), these sentences that in their brevity have so much meaning, these deep thoughts as limpid, as clear as what is superficial, this art in which nature is entire... More openness, a higher flight...
Fléchier. Why more esteemed fifty years ago than he seems to be today. Why more enjoyed at that time. Why more praised by Rolin.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I · [On Voltaire.] · Entry 2789
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.