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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English Page · Branch 3114 of 4529
YEAR 1814 · Entry 6895
French
p. 6227Il y a dans le caractère français une sorte de sincérité et de franchise opposée à l’affectation d’enthousiasme qui est le caractère des Allemands. Notre esprit est d’ailleurs comme notre ciel naturellement clair; celui des Italiens est plus étincelant. On apperçoit [ces] différences entre les habitans de quelques parties de la France, par exemple entre l’esprit d’un habitant des plaines de la Beauce et des côtes de la Provence. L’esprit des premiers se borne volontiers à la clarté, l’esprit des seconds vise à l’éclat.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1814
p. 6228There is in the French character a kind of sincerity and frankness opposed to the affectation of enthusiasm that is the character of the Germans. Our mind, moreover, like our sky, is naturally clear; that of the Italians is more sparkling. One perceives [these] differences among the inhabitants of certain parts of France, for example between the mind of an inhabitant of the plains of Beauce and of the coasts of Provence. The mind of the former readily confines itself to clarity; the mind of the latter aims at brilliance.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1814 · Entry 6895
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.