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 3413 of 3781
YEAR 1804 · Entry 3413
French
p. 6825Si le plan doit s’établir par les tons et par les images, ou par les pensées et les sentences propres au sujet et qui en sont en lui les points fixes. L’esprit (en ce cas) tient-il plus de la nature de l’oreille et de l’œil que de celle de tout le corps, de l’homme entier? Enfin faut-il commencer par les tours (turres) ou par le sol et les pavés? Grande question!
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: YEAR 1804
p. 6826Whether the plan should be established through tones and images, or through the thoughts and maxims proper to the subject and which are its fixed points within it. Does the mind (in this case) partake more of the nature of the ear and eye than of that of the whole body, of the whole man? Finally, should one begin with the towers (turres) or with the ground and paving stones? A great question!
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I · YEAR 1804 · Entry 3413
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.