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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Facing Pages · Branch 1236 of 4529
YEAR 1807 · Entry 5017
French
p. 2471Dans les images, il y a de la lumière et on peut s’y conduire. Mais dans les abstractions il n’y en a point et on ne scait comment en sortir. Quand l’abstraction est d’une réalité, la réalité nous ramène; mais quand elle est d’une chose métaphysique, quelle ressource reste t’il et comment voir qu’on s’est trompé? Evitez donc les abstractions de tout ce qui n’a pas de corps; n’admettez en de tels sujets que les images.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1807
p. 2472In images there is light, and one can find one’s way through them. But in abstractions there is none, and one does not know how to get out. When the abstraction is of a reality, reality brings us back; but when it is of a metaphysical thing, what resource remains, and how can one see that one has been mistaken? Avoid, then, abstractions of everything that has no body; admit only images in such matters.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1807 · Entry 5017
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.