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 696 of 4529
YEAR 1806 · Entry 4477
French
p. 139126 janvier.
La religion a ses dogmes, mais purement théologiques et révélés. Quant aux dogmes métaphysiques et raisonnés, elle les laisse aux disputeurs. Elle ne dit point par exemple que l’âme est immortelle, mais qu’elle sera éternellement récompensée en tel et tel lieu et de telle ou telle manière ou punie du mal ou du bien que l’homme aura fait. La première de ces vérités est trop vulgaire à ses yeux pour qu’elle en parle. Sa foi a de plus vastes certitudes et son scavoir lui vient du ciel.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1806
p. 1392January 26.
Religion has its dogmas, but purely theological and revealed ones. As for metaphysical and reasoned dogmas, it leaves them to disputants. It does not say, for example, that the soul is immortal, but that it will be eternally rewarded in such and such a place and in this or that manner or punished for the evil or good a man will have done. The first of these truths is too commonplace in its eyes for it to speak of it. Its faith has vaster certainties, and its knowledge comes to it from heaven.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1806 · Entry 4477
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.