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 835 of 3781
YEAR 1797 · Entry 835
French
p. 1669Mardi 14 juin.
Il n’est pas nécessaire que de pareilles idées soient vraies, il suffit qu’elles nous rendent plus religieux. Dès qu’il n’est pas évident qu’elles sont fausses, il est de la saine philosophie de les admettre par la seule raison qu’elles sont aptes à remplir leur destination qui est, non de nous rendre scavans (dans des matières où on ne peut l’être) mais de nous rendre pieux. Ce ne sont pas des conclusions qu’on veut par de tels argumens. On veut des sentimens pour toute conséquence et si les prémices sont propres à les amener, alors on a bien opéré et aussi juste qu’un géomètre qui a déduit un corollaire d’un axiôme.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: YEAR 1797
p. 1670Tuesday, June 14.
Such ideas need not be true; it is enough that they make us more religious. Since it is not evident that they are false, it is sound philosophy to admit them solely because they are fitted to fulfill their purpose, which is not to make us learned (in matters where one cannot be) but to make us pious. It is not conclusions that we seek from such arguments. We seek feelings as the entire consequence, and if the premises are fitted to bring them about, then we have proceeded well and as correctly as a geometer who has deduced a corollary from an axiom.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I · YEAR 1797 · Entry 835
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.