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 1810 · Entry 6067

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Facing Pages · Branch 2286 of 4529

YEAR 1810 · Entry 6067

Translator notesBook Mode

French

p. 4571

[…]5 février.

J’aime peu la prudence si elle n’est morale. La simple circonspection nuit aux affaires dans les conseils et ne sert qu’à celui qui l’a. Dans l’exécution, la circonspection est meilleure; dans les délibérations, c’est la franchise ou la sincérité. Elle ouvre de nouvelles voyes […]ux recherches, elle promène l’esprit sur plus de points, elle mul[…]iplie les unités dans la quantité des expédiens soumis aux délibé[…]ations. Enfin elle aide aux heureux résultats; car pour bien choisir, il vaut mieux choisir entre mille qu’entre deux ou trois.

The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1810

p. 4572

February […]5.

I have little liking for prudence if it is not moral. Mere circumspection harms affairs in councils and benefits only the one who possesses it. In execution, circumspection is better; in deliberations, it is frankness or sincerity. It opens new paths […]ux inquiry, it walks the mind over more points, it mul[…]iplie the units in the quantity of expedients submitted to délibé[…]ations. Finally it helps toward favorable results; for to choose well, it is better to choose among a thousand than between two or three.

T43.Prudence remains distinct from mere circumspection. The former is qualified by if it is not moral; circumspection is better in execution, frankness or sincerity in deliberation. The following It refers to frankness or sincerity, not circumspection. Walks the mind retains the motion in promène. The units and quantity image is preserved, and expedients means available means, without an added implication of dishonesty. The residues […]ux, mul[…]iplie, and délibé[…]ations remain French; aux, multiplie, and délibérations are possible completions. A thousand contrasts with two or three without an invented object of choice.

T135.Only final 5 is secure in the date. The missing initials before ux, iplie and ations remain explicit; aux, multiplie and délibérations are contextual completions only. In the other wrapped circonspection and first délibérations, and initial Dans and il, partial letter strokes support qualified complete readings. Voyes and expédiens retain their printed spellings.

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.