Diotimos Library · Journals, Notebooks & Fragments Collection · Bilingual Edition
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II
Complete Notebooks · French with an independent English translation.
Explore the LexiconSwipe or use the arrow keys.
French Page · Branch 1267 of 4529
YEAR 1807 · Entry 5048
French
p. 253311 février.
La piété tendre dans toutes les reines, et la piété même la plus minutieuse, a quelque apparence de sublime et quelque chose de supérieur à leur dignité. Il y a dans les classes inférieures des médiocrités qui la ravalent; mais par lui même, par son essence, ce sentiment est plus que royal. Mais il faut aux hommes une majestueuse ou grave plutôt que tendre piété. Il faut aux femmes une piété plutôt tendre que raisonnée.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1807
p. 2534February 11.
Tender piety in all queens, and even the most meticulous piety, has some appearance of the sublime and something superior to their dignity. In the lower classes there are mediocrities that debase it; but in itself, in its essence, this feeling is more than royal. But men need a majestic or grave rather than tender piety. Women need a piety that is tender rather than reasoned.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1807 · Entry 5048
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 II continues the notebooks and includes seventy undated pieces. 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.