Diotimos Library · Journals, Notebooks & Fragments Collection · Bilingual Edition
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I
Complete Notebooks · French with an independent English translation.
Explore the LexiconSwipe or use the arrow keys.
French Page · Branch 778 of 3781
YEAR 1797 · Entry 778
French
p. 155525 avril.
Pourquoi me fatigué-je tant à parler? C’est que, lorsque je parle, une partie de mes fibres se met tant en exercice, tandis que l’autre demeure dans l’affaissement; celle qui agit supporte seule la peine et le poids de l’action dont elle est bientôt accablée. Comme il y a en moi une distribution inégale de forces, il y a dans toutes mes parties inégale distribution d’activité. De là fatigue totale lorsque ce qui étoit fort est fatigué, car alors la faiblesse est partout.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: YEAR 1797
p. 1556April 25.
Why do I tire myself so much by speaking? Because, when I speak, one part of my fibers becomes so active while the other remains slack; the part that acts bears alone the strain and weight of the action, which soon overwhelms it. Just as there is an unequal distribution of strength in me, there is an unequal distribution of activity in all my parts. Hence total fatigue when what was strong is tired, for then weakness is everywhere.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I · YEAR 1797 · Entry 778
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.