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 4216 of 4529
YEAR 1819 · Entry 7997
French
p. 84311ᵉʳ février.
Donner de l’importance, du sérieux, de la hauteur et de la dignité aux passions (et je puis dire presque aux vices), voilà ce qu’a fait J.-J. Rousseau ou du moins ce qu’il a tenté. Lisez ses livres. La basse envie s’y montre et parle avec orgueil; l’orgueil s’y donne lui-même hardiment pour une vertu; la paresse y prend l’attitude d’une occupation philosophique et la grossière gourmandise y est fière de ses appétits.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1819
p. 8432February 1.
To give importance, seriousness, hauteur and dignity to the passions (and, I can almost say, to the vices): that is what J.-J. Rousseau did, or at least what he attempted. Read his books. Base envy shows itself there and speaks with pride; pride boldly passes itself off there as a virtue; idleness there assumes the attitude of philosophical occupation, and gross gluttony there is proud of its appetites.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1819 · Entry 7997
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.