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 1659 of 4529
YEAR 1807 · Entry 5440
French
p. 331710 novembre.
En effet, cette philosophie toute occupée à combattre ce qu’elle appelle les erreurs n’est par conséquent elle même que la recherche des erreurs. Disons le donc, sans craindre qu’elle nous démente : Qu’est-ce que la philosophie? C’est la recherche des erreurs, pour les combattre. Voilà donc son seul emploi, sa seule ambition. Mais, comme la vérité ressemble à l’erreur, que souvent elles sont mêlées, elle a tué des vérités.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1807
p. 3318November 10.
Indeed, this philosophy, wholly occupied with combating what it calls errors, is consequently itself nothing but the search for errors. Let us say it, then, without fearing that it will contradict us: What is philosophy? It is the search for errors, to combat them. That, then, is its sole occupation, its sole ambition. But since truth resembles error, and they are often mingled, it has killed truths.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1807 · Entry 5440
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.