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 3505 of 3781
[Malebranche.] · Entry 3505
French
p. 7009[Malebranche.]
Il combat Aristote qui disoit : « Ce n’est que dans les mathématiques qu’il faut chercher une entière certitude; mais la morale et la physique sont des sciences où la seule probabilité suffit. » Pour la morale, Aristote avoit raison, car il est nécessaire pour l’action que la seule probabilité y suffise. Quant à la physique, la seule probabilité y suffit aussi pour la satisfaction de l’esprit, qui n’a besoin pour son repos et son utilité que de voir ou d’entrevoir l’ordre en toutes choses. Mais cette probabilité ne suffit pas dans la physique pour les méchaniques, qui en sont la pratique comme la morale est la partie pratique de la métaphysique. Que si, dans la morale, la probabilité suffit, la vraisemblance suffit aussi dans la métaphysique, sa théorie et sa pratique pouvant s’en contenter.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: [Malebranche.]
p. 7010[Malebranche.]
He contests Aristotle, who said: “Only in mathematics should one seek complete certainty; but morality and physics are sciences in which probability alone suffices.” As for morality, Aristotle was right, for action requires that probability alone suffice in it. As for physics, probability alone also suffices there for the satisfaction of the mind, which, for its repose and its use, needs only to see or glimpse order in all things. But this probability does not suffice in physics for mechanics, which is its practice, as morality is the practical part of metaphysics. Now if probability suffices in morality, plausibility also suffices in metaphysics, its theory and its practice being able to content themselves with it.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I · [Malebranche.] · Entry 3505
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.