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 3898 of 4529
YEAR 1816 · Entry 7679
French
p. 7795On veut la justice en avant, on ne la veut pas en arrière. Ce qui peut en consoler et porter à s’y résigner, c’est le souvenir et la considération d’une vérité triste et qu’il faut rarement rappeller, mais qu’il faut scavoir; la voici. En tous lieux et dans tous les temps, tout établissement politique a commencé par quelque injustice. Et toutes les bonnes loix chez tous les peuples ont commencé par consolider ce qui existoit.
« Dieu vous donnera », dit l’Ecriture. Les Emigrés devroient dire de ce que possèdent les Républicains : « Dieu le leur a donné ».
« J’ôterai », dit la Providence divine. Mais par quoi et [par quel] moyen ôte-t-elle? Par les mains de ceux qui ravissent et l’impénitence de ceux qui retiennent.
Ma vigne est tombée dans votre champ, je suis ma vigne. Ce qui se décide par la morale ordinaire dans le cours régulier des choses doit se décider par exception aux règles communes dans les cas de boulleversement.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1816
p. 7796We want justice ahead of us; we do not want it behind us. What can console us for this and bring us to resign ourselves to it is the remembrance and consideration of a sad truth, one that should seldom be recalled but must be known; here it is. In every place and in every age, every political establishment began with some injustice. And all good laws among all peoples began by consolidating what existed.
“God will give you,” says Scripture. The Émigrés ought to say of what the Republicans possess: “God gave it to them.”
“I shall take away,” says divine Providence. But by what and [by what] means does it take away? By the hands of those who seize, and the impenitence of those who retain.
My vine has fallen into your field; I follow my vine. What is decided by ordinary morality in the regular course of things must be decided by an exception to the common rules in cases of upheaval.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1816 · Entry 7679
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.