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 3777 of 4529
YEAR 1816 · Entry 7558
French
p. 755314 janvier.
De l’histoire; et Des monumens humiliants pour les autres peuples.
On ne prend guères un livre que lorsqu’on se sent disposé à devenir plus sage ou plus scavant. Mais les monumens perpétuellement exposés à tous les yeux peuvent frapper les regards d’un homme yvre ou disposé par quelque autre cause à la colère, à la tristesse et aux profonds ressentimens. Et en ce cas un peuple est exposé à se faire un ennemi de chaque voyageur qui le visite.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1816
p. 7554January 14.
Of history; and Of monuments humiliating to other peoples.
One rarely picks up a book unless one feels disposed to become wiser or more learned. But monuments perpetually exposed to all eyes can strike the gaze of a man who is drunk or disposed by some other cause to anger, sadness and deep resentments. And in that case a people is exposed to the danger of making an enemy of every traveler who visits it.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1816 · Entry 7558
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.