Diotimos Library · Journals, Notebooks & Fragments Collection · Bilingual Edition

Joseph Joubert

The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II

Name: The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II
Author: Joseph Joubert

Complete Notebooks · French with an independent English translation.

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The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume IIYEAR 1809 · Entry 5966

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English Page · Branch 2185 of 4529

YEAR 1809 · Entry 5966

Translator notesBook Mode

French

p. 4369

19 octobre.

L’esprit faux est celui qui voit la lumière où elle n’est pas, mais non celui qui ne voit pas la lumière où elle est. Fabricator doli Epeus (Virg.) L’esprit bizarre et l’esprit faux sont deux esprits. L’esprit faux veut endoctriner et se complait dans sa supériorité imaginaire. L’esprit bizarre n’est que têtu.

The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1809

p. 4370

October 19.

The false mind is the one that sees light where it is not, but not the one that does not see light where it is. Fabricator doli Epeus (Virg.) The eccentric mind and the false mind are two minds. The false mind wants to indoctrinate and delights in its imaginary superiority. The eccentric mind is only obstinate.

T107.False mind concerns the misplaced perception of light in Joubert’s definition; it is not simply replaced by dishonesty. The repeated light, two minds, and imaginary superiority remain. The Latin means Epeus, maker of the deceit; the printed attribution Virg. and absence of a period before it are retained. Eccentric renders bizarre in contrast with false, and only obstinate keeps the limiting judgment. Aeneid II.264 has doli fabricator Epeos in the account of the warriors emerging from the wooden horse. Joubert reverses the noun order and prints Epeus; both features remain.

T287.No period is printed between the italic Epeus and the following parenthetical attribution. In complait the raised i-mark is compact and dot-like; no distinct circumflex is certified, so the plain-i reading remains qualified.

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.