Diotimos Library · Journals, Notebooks & Fragments Collection · Bilingual Edition
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II
Complete Notebooks · French with an independent English translation.
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French Page · Branch 1779 of 4529
YEAR 1808 · Entry 5560
French
p. 35576 février.
Le naturel qui s’expose à la risée sans la prévoir est le naïf; s’il la prévoit et sans la craindre, c’est la franchise. Ceux qui ont scu conserver leur propre naturel tout entier sont toujours frappés et charmés de celui des autres quand même il seroit opposé au leur. Aussi ceux là sont toujours sensibles à l’expression.
Ceux qui ne manifestent que des défauts ou des qualités acquises, étalent et n’expriment pas.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1808
p. 3558February 6.
Naturalness that exposes itself to ridicule without foreseeing it is naïveté; if it foresees it and without fearing it, that is frankness. Those who have known how to preserve their own natural character whole are always struck and charmed by that of others, even if it should be opposed to their own. Thus they are always sensitive to expression.
Those who manifest only faults or acquired qualities, display and do not express.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1808 · Entry 5560
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.