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 1339 of 4529
YEAR 1807 · Entry 5120
French
p. 2677La symmétrie, fondement de toute beauté et de tout amour (dans les arts), soit qu’elle s’y montre à découvert, soit qu’elle s’y fasse seulement sentir; car il est indispensable qu’elle se trouve dans nos ouvrages, mais il n’est pas toujours nécessaire qu’elle s’y voye.
Et j’ai dit : dans tous les arts. Car, dans les êtres animés, il en est autrement. Comme nous pouvons communiquer avec ceux ci autrement que par la vue et par l’admiration, nous pouvons y aimer d’autres qualités que celles qui flattent les yeux et [les] admirer lorsqu’ils nous semblent parfaitement accomodés à nos goûts et à notre usage. Nous les jugeons alors parfaitement beaux à toucher.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1807
p. 2678Symmetry, foundation of all beauty and all love (in the arts), whether it shows itself openly or merely makes itself felt; for it is indispensable that it be present in our works, but not always necessary that it be seen there.
And I said: in all the arts. For in animate beings it is otherwise. Since we can communicate with these otherwise than through sight and admiration, we can love in them qualities other than those that flatter the eyes, and admire [them] when they seem perfectly suited to our tastes and our use. We then judge them perfectly beautiful to the touch.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1807 · Entry 5120
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.