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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English Page · Branch 1728 of 4529
YEAR 1808 · Entry 5509
French
p. 3455D’Alexandre et du roi de Perse. La hardiesse et le succès ont aveuglé les historiens. Il étoit plus à propos, et plus dans l’ordre, que le roi d’un grand pays en dominât un petit. Le contraire ne pouvoit s’opérer que par un monstrueux rebroussement du cours ordinaire des choses humaines et par des malheurs effroyables. L’auteur d’un bouleversement qui ne peut pas se soutenir est moins louable d’avoir réussi que blâmable de l’avoir tenté. Il eut de courtes prévoyances et une prudence bornée. Il ne vit pas plus loin que son propre ascendant et que son bras pour ainsi dire.
Ne voyant pas plus loin que son épée...
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1808
p. 3456Of Alexander and the king of Persia. Boldness and success have blinded the historians. It was more fitting, and more in the order of things, for the king of a great country to rule a small one. The reverse could come about only through a monstrous reversal of the ordinary course of human things and through dreadful misfortunes. The author of an upheaval that cannot sustain itself is less praiseworthy for succeeding than blameworthy for attempting it. He had short foresight and limited prudence. He saw no farther than his own ascendancy and his arm, so to speak.
Seeing no farther than his sword...
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1808 · Entry 5509
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.