Diotimos Library · Journals, Notebooks & Fragments Collection · Bilingual Edition
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II
Complete Notebooks · French with an independent English translation.
Explore the LexiconSwipe or use the arrow keys.
English Page · Branch 4491 of 4529
UNDATED · Entry 8272
French
p. 898132 (id.)
Il faudroit que l’expression de la raison publique se trouvât dans les mœurs comme dans les loix. « Nous avons pensé qu’il importoit au bonheur du peuple », ainsi doivent parier les loix. « Nous avons pensé qu’il était requis pour mener une vie agréable et douce », ainsi doivent parler les mœurs. Donc la considération que donne à un citoyen l’air propre et riant de sa maison est une considération légitime. Il n’y a pas moins de mérite à scavoir bien user des choses qu’à bien en scavoir parler et j’estime à juste titre celui qui scait s’environner des commodités de la vie.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: UNDATED
p. 898232 (id.)
The expression of public reason ought to be found in manners as in laws. “We have thought that it mattered to the people’s happiness,” so laws should [speak]. “We have thought that it was required for leading an agreeable and gentle life,” so manners should speak. Thus the regard a citizen gains from the neat and cheerful appearance of his house is legitimate regard. There is no less merit in knowing how to use things well than in knowing how to speak well of them, and I rightly esteem the man who knows how to surround himself with life’s conveniences.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · UNDATED · Entry 8272
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.