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 1466 of 4529
YEAR 1807 · Entry 5247
French
p. 293114 avril.
Le bon sens appliqué aux faits (c’est M. b.) et le bon sens appliqué aux idées (c’est R—v—r—l). Le bon sens appliqué aux actions et aux évenemens politiques (c’est Rblrs), le bon sens appliqué aux arts, par exemple à la poésie (c’est...)
Tout bon sens ainsi appliqué (et surtout le second) est autre que le sens commun; c’est un bon sens qui lui est supérieur en étenduë, en finesse, en pénétration, mais non pas en utilité. Le sens commun proprement dit a pour objet les besoins de la vie et de l’âme. L’autre bon sens a pour objet les délices de la pensée. Ce bon sens qu’on peut appeller littéraire et spirituel a besoin d’être associé au sens commun, non pas que celui-ci puisse coopérer aux occupations de l’autre et y prendre une part active; mais il lui est utile et nécessaire pour prévenir, pour arrêter ou pour redresser ses écarts et pour apprécier ses efforts.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1807
p. 2932April 14.
Good sense applied to facts (that is M. b.) and good sense applied to ideas (that is R—v—r—l). Good sense applied to actions and political events (that is Rblrs), good sense applied to the arts, for example poetry (that is...)
All good sense so applied (and especially the second kind) differs from common sense; it is a good sense superior to it in extent, in subtlety, in penetration, but not in usefulness. Common sense properly so called has as its object the needs of life and of the soul. The other good sense has as its object the delights of thought. This good sense, which one may call literary and intellectual, needs to be associated with common sense, not that the latter can cooperate in the other’s occupations and take an active part in them; but it is useful and necessary to it for preventing, stopping, or correcting its deviations and for judging its efforts.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1807 · Entry 5247
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.