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 2202 of 4529
YEAR 1809 · Entry 5983
French
p. 440318 novembre, soir.
Mais la substance du cerveau? N’a-t-elle pas dans les individus divers une qualité différente, comme une différente quantité? Ah! il y a dans l’organisation (en l’admettant pour cause) une infinité de dispositions qui ne peuvent être déduites d’aucun trait, d’aucune dimension, d’aucun signe extérieur, mais de l’opération seule. Et on jugera plus sûrement de la tête par le style que du style par la tête.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1809
p. 4404November 18, evening.
But the substance of the brain? Does it not have a different quality in different individuals, just as a different quantity? Ah! there are in the constitution (admitting it as a cause) infinitely many dispositions that cannot be deduced from any feature, any dimension, any outward sign, but from operation alone. And one will judge the head more surely by style than style by the head.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1809 · Entry 5983
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.