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 1942 of 4529
YEAR 1808 · Entry 5723
French
p. 38837 mai.
Que leur esprit philosophique n’a été qu’un esprit de contradiction appliqué aux mœurs et aux loix. — Que l’esprit d’assentiment est amené par l’étude, l’expérience et le scavoir, qui font connoître les raisons et les avantages du communis omnium consensus. — Que l’esprit de contradiction n’exige aucun travail, qu’il éloigne de toute étude approfondie, qu’il dépend de la volonté, qu’il est commode, mais funeste, mais destructeur. — Que, au contraire, l’esprit d’assentiment exige plus d’intelligence, plus d’examen, plus de travail, plus de scavoir; qu’il est pénible, mais utile, mais bienfaisant, conservateur, réparateur.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1808
p. 3884May 7.
That their philosophical spirit has been only a spirit of contradiction applied to conduct and laws. — That the spirit of assent is brought about by study, experience, and knowledge, which make known the reasons for and advantages of the shared agreement of all. — That the spirit of contradiction requires no work, that it keeps one from any profound study, that it depends on the will, that it is convenient, but disastrous, but destructive. — That, on the contrary, the spirit of assent requires more intelligence, more examination, more work, more knowledge; that it is arduous, but useful, but beneficent, preserving, repairing.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1808 · Entry 5723
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.