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.
English Page · Branch 83 of 3781
YEAR 1786. · Entry 83
French
p. 16512 août 1786.
L’une ne peut plaire que par ses formes et l’autre que par ses mouvemens. Il faut à la première un corset qui la moule, un seul juppon, une simple cornette ; à la seconde il faut des falbalas, des cheveux épars, des gazes flottantes ; on suit avec plaisir celle-là, on s’arrête involontairement devant l’autre. L’impression que la seconde a faite sur nous peut se renouveller, mais l’impression que la première a causée est seule durable.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: YEAR 1786.
p. 166August 12, 1786.
One can please only through her forms, the other only through her movements. The first needs a bodice that molds her, a single petticoat, a simple cap; the second needs flounces, loose hair, floating gauzes; one follows the latter with pleasure, one stops involuntarily before the other. The impression the second has made on us can be renewed, but the impression the first has caused is the only lasting one.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I · YEAR 1786. · Entry 83
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.