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Diotimos Library · Journals, Notebooks & Fragments Collection · Bilingual Edition

Joseph Joubert

The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I

Complete Notebooks · French with an independent English translation.

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The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I[On Voltaire.] · Entry 3168

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English Page · Branch 3168 of 3781

[On Voltaire.] · Entry 3168

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French

p. 6335

13 octobre.

Il ne faut pas oser regarder le devoir en face, mais l’écouter et lui obéir les yeux baissés.

[Bossuet.] Et son « Je suis la voix », « je suis le verbe ». Un mystique comme Bossuet n’est point approfondi sans plaisir et sans utilité.

6335

The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: [On Voltaire.]

p. 6336

October 13.

One must not dare look duty in the face, but listen to it and obey it with lowered eyes.

[Bossuet.] And his “I am the voice,” “I am the word.” A mystic like Bossuet cannot be studied deeply without pleasure and without profit.

6336

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.