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 207 of 4529
YEAR 1805 · Entry 3988
French
p. 41327 février.
C’est le défaut de Platon : des détours quand ils ne sont pas nécessaires. L’explication de ce qui est clair. Il trouble l’eau limpide, comme les enfans, pour se donner le plaisir de la voir se rasseoir et se réépurer. A la vérité, c’est pour mieux établir le caractère de son personnage; mais aussi c’est sacrifier la pièce à l’acteur et la fable au masque. (Voyez le Lachès.)
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1805
p. 414February 27.
This is Plato’s fault: detours when they are unnecessary. Explaining what is clear. He muddies clear water, like children, to give himself the pleasure of seeing it settle and grow pure again. In truth, this is to establish his character’s nature more fully; but it is also to sacrifice the play to the actor and the plot to the mask. (See the Laches.)
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1805 · Entry 3988
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.