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 3112 of 3781
[On Voltaire.] · Entry 3112
French
p. 6223Il m’est venu en pensée si on ne pourroit pas considérer le corps comme un véritable animal, une bête de somme, une monture par laquelle l’âme est portée, qui nous est donnée à gouverner et qui a ses appétits à part. Mais il m’a semblé que cette idée, utile en morale, parce que la morale ne traite que de l’usage des choses, seroit pernicieuse en métaphysique, science qui traite des natures; elle embrouilleroit à nos yeux la nôtre. Comme aspect passager et comme simple point de vue, le corps peut être ainsi considéré; et dans l’action, dans la conduite ou pratique, nous pouvons le traiter ainsi; mais en spéculation et comme doctrine fixe, cette idée ne vaudroit rien : elle nous tromperoit, etc. Et ne présentant à l’esprit qu’un sens oblique, propre à faire loucher l’esprit...
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: [On Voltaire.]
p. 6224It occurred to me whether one might not consider the body as an actual animal, a beast of burden, a mount that carries the soul, that is given to us to govern and that has appetites of its own. But it seemed to me that this idea, useful in morality, because morality deals only with the use of things, would be pernicious in metaphysics, the science that deals with natures; it would confuse our own nature in our eyes. As a passing aspect and a mere point of view, the body can be considered in this way; and in action, in conduct or practice, we can treat it so; but in speculation and as a fixed doctrine, this idea would be worth nothing: it would deceive us, etc. And presenting to the mind only an oblique sense, apt to make the mind squint...
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I · [On Voltaire.] · Entry 3112
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.