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 1190 of 4529
YEAR 1807 · Entry 4971
French
p. 237915 janvier.
Dans les objets corporels, par exemple dans un édifice, la grandeur se considère de droite à gauche ou de gauche à droite; mais dans les matières intellectuelles elle se prend de bas en haut. En sorte qu’il peut se trouver autant d’étenduë et de puissance d’esprit dans un petit nombre de pages et dans une ode (par exemple) que dans un long poëme épique tout entier. C’est la sublimité qui fait l’homme et lui assigne son véritable rang. Mais il est vrai que celui qui se montre longtemps sublime doit l’emporter sur celui qui n’a pu l’être que quelquefois. — A moins peut être que le premier n’ait montré une beaucoup plus grande beauté d’âme et de génie que l’autre.
Ou bien : — L’étenduë d’un palais se mesure d’orient en occident ou du midi au septentrion; mais l’étenduë d’un ouvrage, d’un livre, se toise de la terre au ciel.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1807
p. 2380January 15.
In bodily objects, for example in a building, greatness is considered from right to left or from left to right; but in intellectual matters it is taken from bottom to top. Thus as much breadth and power of mind may be found in a small number of pages and in an ode (for example) as in an entire long epic poem. It is sublimity that makes the man and assigns him his true rank. But it is true that one who shows himself sublime for a long time must prevail over one who has been able to be so only sometimes. — Unless perhaps the first has shown a much greater beauty of soul and genius than the other.
Or else: — The extent of a palace is measured from east to west or from south to north; but the extent of a work, of a book, is measured from earth to heaven.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1807 · Entry 4971
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.