Diotimos Library · Journals, Notebooks & Fragments Collection · Bilingual Edition

Joseph Joubert

The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II

Name: The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II
Author: Joseph Joubert

Complete Notebooks · French with an independent English translation.

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The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume IIYEAR 1817 · Entry 7785

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English Page · Branch 4004 of 4529

YEAR 1817 · Entry 7785

Translator notesBook Mode

French

p. 8007

27 octobre.

C’est que la plupart des faits (dans l’histoire) ne sont que des opinions; mais la plupart des opinions (dans les philosophes) sont des faits certains, car il est sûr qu’ils les ont euës.

Quand les livres sont tels et si nombreux qu’ils occupent plus l’attention que les choses et que le monde...

The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1817

p. 8008

October 27.

The fact is that most facts (in history) are only opinions; but most opinions (in philosophers) are certain facts, for it is certain that they held them.

When books are of such a kind and so numerous that they occupy attention more than things do and more than the world does...

T90.The explanatory opening, two most terms, first only and both parentheses remain. Held them identifies the relation of philosophers to their opinions; certainty concerns that relation rather than the opinions’ truth. The repeated fact/opinion structure remains.

T204.The complete 27 governs two physical paragraphs. Both la plupart statements, parenthetic domains and inverse fact/opinion relations remain. Euës has paired e marks supported by color and native 398. The second paragraph keeps the dependent Quand opening, tels/si qualification, comparative plus and both que comparisons, ending in three printed dots without a supplied consequence. Opi-/nions and l’at-/tention are complete wraps.

T91.The dependent When, kind and number, two comparisons and terminal ellipsis remain. English repeats do/does to keep the comparative relation clear without completing the thought.

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.