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 4001 of 4529
YEAR 1817 · Entry 7782
French
p. 800124 octobre.
Que, dans un corps ecclésiastique, la réunion est formée par la règle et la participation à une vie singulière et commune. Mais, dans un corps laïc ou quasi laïc, cette réunion ne peut avoir lieu que par quelque synthèse ou par une commune participation à une opinion singulière à laquelle l’attachement devient lien. Ainsi du principe des corps ecclésiastiques, qui est la règle, se forment de véritables communautés régulières ou des ordres; du principe des autres corps, il ne peut se former que des espèces de sectes ou des partis.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1817
p. 8002October 24.
That, in an ecclesiastical body, union is formed by the rule and by participation in a distinctive, shared life. But in a lay or almost lay body, this union can come about only through some synthesis or through shared participation in a distinctive opinion, attachment to which becomes a bond. Thus from the principle of ecclesiastical bodies, which is the rule, true regular communities or orders are formed; from the principle of other bodies, only sorts of sects or parties can be formed.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1817 · Entry 7782
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.