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 206 of 4529
YEAR 1805 · Entry 3987
French
p. 411« La valeur (dit Platon dans le Lachès) est la science des choses terribles. » Ainsi il auroit dit que la tempérance, la chasteté, la sobriété sont la science des plaisirs qui peuvent trop plaire. Platon à la fin du dialogue insinue que la valeur étant la science des choses terribles ou des choses à redouter, comprend par cette définition même toutes les autres vertus; car le plaisir en effet peut être mis au nombre des choses terribles. Mais il ne s’explique pas assés clairement là dessus.
Le vrai sujet du Lachès est celui-ci : que la science des choses terribles est des plaisirs aussi bien que des dangers. (Et, dans les interlocuteurs, portrait de la vie athénienne.)
Dans l’Apologie, le caractère et les habitudes de Socrate. — Dans l’Alcibiade 1ᵉʳ : pour gouverner, connoître Dieu. Dans le 2ᵉ Alcibiade: se fier aux dieux. Dans l’Eutyphon : ne pas croire que ce qui n’est pas juste plaît au ciel, à moins que le ciel ne le déclare. Dans le Criton : respect aux loix. Dans le Phédon : que la mort est un bien.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1805
p. 412“Valor (Plato says in the Laches) is the knowledge of terrible things.” Thus he would have said that temperance, chastity, and sobriety are the knowledge of pleasures that can please too much. At the end of the dialogue Plato intimates that valor, being the knowledge of terrible things or things to be feared, includes by this very definition all the other virtues; for pleasure can indeed be numbered among terrible things. But he does not explain himself clearly enough on this point.
The true subject of the Laches is this: that the knowledge of terrible things is of pleasures as well as dangers. (And, in the interlocutors, a portrait of Athenian life.)
In the Apology, the character and habits of Socrates. — In the First Alcibiades: in order to govern, to know God. In the Second Alcibiades: to trust the gods. In the Eutyphon: not to believe that what is not just pleases heaven, unless heaven declares it. In the Crito: respect for the laws. In the Phaedo: that death is a good.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1805 · Entry 3987
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.