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.
English Page · Branch 1321 of 4529
YEAR 1807 · Entry 5102
French
p. 2641Cérutti. Il y a dans ses écrits plus de vibration que d’émotion (on y sent la corde ou le nerf plutôt que le cœur ou l’humeur). Il y a dans son élocution plus de figures que d’images et plus d’effervescence que de feu, plus de feu que de ohaleur. Il y a dans ses pensées plus d’éclat que de lumière et presque toutes ses opinions viennent plus d’éblouissement que d’évidence ou de clarté. Il y a enfin dans la marche de son esprit plus de mouvement que de progrès. En tout, cet auteur a peu de ce qui se communique ou de ce qu’on reçoit avec plaisir. Car on n’aime et on ne reçoit avec plaisir la vibration que par l’émotion, la figure que par l’image, le feu que par la chaleur et la clarté et le mouvement littéraire que par le progrès soit de la connaissance par le développement, soit de l’amour par l’agrément et le plaisir qu’il donne.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1807
p. 2642Cérutti. In his writings there is more vibration than emotion (one senses the string or the nerve rather than the heart or the humor). In his expression there are more figures than images and more effervescence than fire, more fire than warmth. In his thoughts there is more radiance than light, and almost all his opinions come more from dazzling than from self-evidence or clarity. In the course of his mind, finally, there is more movement than progress. In all things this author has little of what communicates itself or of what one receives with pleasure. For one loves and receives with pleasure vibration only through emotion, figure only through image, fire only through warmth and clarity, and literary movement only through progress, whether of knowledge through development, or of love through the charm and pleasure it gives.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1807 · Entry 5102
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.