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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French Page · Branch 1162 of 4529
Mr. Hochet and Mme de Sévigné. · Entry 4943
French
p. 2323Nous nous distinguons de notre corps et de notre âme et nous disons : « Prenez pitié de mon âme et de mon corps. » Ce n’est pas sans doute sans quelque secrette raison, et sans quelque sentiment secret de vérité que nous admettons en nous un tiers être vivant composé de deux autres, l’un mortel et l’autre immortel, quand nous parlons à Dieu qui voit tout et qui scait tout. Nous ne parlerions pas ainsi aux hommes; à moins que ce ne fût devant Dieu. Il y a en effet en nous, et nous sommes dans les fonctions ordinaires de la vie, un être mixte qui voit, qui pense, qui parle, qui vit entre deux autres... Et ne disons-nous pas : Il y a de l’âme dans ces idées, dans cette action, dans ce discours?... Il y a donc des discours, des actions, des pensées où l’âme entre peu. Qu’est-ce donc qui y entre? C’est nous. Mais nous, que sommes-nous? Un composé. Mourrons-nous? Oui. Notre âme mourra-t-elle? Oui. Quelles sont ses fonctions? de nous éclairer et de nous diriger. Elle expiera nos fautes? Oui. Etc.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: Mr. Hochet and Mme de Sévigné.
p. 2324We distinguish ourselves from our body and our soul, and we say: “Have pity on my soul and my body.” Surely it is not without some secret reason, and without some secret feeling of truth, that we admit in ourselves a third living being composed of two others, one mortal and the other immortal, when we speak to God, who sees all and knows all. We would not speak thus to men, unless it were before God. There is indeed in us, and in the ordinary functions of life we are, a mixed being that sees, thinks, speaks, lives between two others... And do we not say: There is soul in these ideas, in this action, in this discourse?... There are therefore discourses, actions, thoughts into which the soul enters little. What then enters into them? It is we. But we, what are we? A compound. Shall we die? Yes. Will our soul die? Yes. What are its functions? to enlighten and direct us. Will it atone for our faults? Yes. Etc.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · Mr. Hochet and Mme de Sévigné. · Entry 4943
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.