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 1796 of 4529
YEAR 1808 · Entry 5577
French
p. 359115 février.
Pour exceller dans la pratique ou dans la connoissance des arts, il faut beaucoup de pénétration et beaucoup de sangfroid. Or celui là fait preuve de sang froid qui a eu la patience d’étudier et d’apprendre à fonds les procédés et la langue du métier. S’il réunit à cette qualité une juste idée du but ou de l’objet de l’art, c’est un scavant et un critique de premier ordre dans cette partie.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1808
p. 3592February 15.
To excel in the practice or knowledge of the arts, one needs much penetration and much composure. Now he gives proof of composure who has had the patience to study and thoroughly learn the procedures and language of the craft. If he joins to this quality a just idea of the aim or object of art, he is a scholar and a critic of the first order in that field.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1808 · Entry 5577
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.