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 3359 of 3781
YEAR 1804 · Entry 3359
French
p. 6717Mais il faut que le sens s’ajuste au sens parfaitement et que l’étendue plus ou moins resserrée dans les pensées jette de la variété dans l’uniformité du rithme. Comme un ruisseau dont les flots ont la même ampleur et se renouvellent toujours. L’idée de ce changement et l’aspect de son mouvement ôtent tout sentiment de sa monotonie.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: YEAR 1804
p. 6718But meaning must fit meaning perfectly, and the more or less confined extent of the thoughts must cast variety into the uniformity of rhythm. Like a stream whose waves have the same breadth and are always renewed. The idea of this change and the sight of its movement remove all sense of its monotony.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I · YEAR 1804 · Entry 3359
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.