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 247 of 4529
YEAR 1805 · Entry 4028
French
p. 493L’ivresse n’ôte pas le sentiment du juste. La notion en demeure pure jusques dans la folie, si le fol reste capable de raisonner. Un homme ivre prendra facilement un innocent pour un coupable, mais non pas une bonne maxime pour une mauvaise. La notion en subsiste en lui dans sa mémoire. Mais l’ivresse politique (l’ivresse des nerfs) a des effets pires que l’ivresse du vin.
L’avare connoît fort bien et cite souvent les maximes d’équité. Ce sont des titres qui conservent ses droits.
— L’ivresse du vin; et l’ivresse des nerfs, qui entre par l’esprit : ses dangers. L’ivresse des liqueurs n’ôte pas la piété.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1805
p. 494Intoxication does not take away the sense of what is just. The notion remains pure even in madness, if the madman remains capable of reasoning. A drunken man will easily take an innocent man for a guilty one, but not a good maxim for a bad one. The notion survives in him in his memory. But political intoxication (the intoxication of the nerves) has worse effects than the intoxication of wine.
The miser knows very well and often cites the maxims of equity. They are deeds that preserve his rights.
— The intoxication of wine; and the intoxication of the nerves, which enters through the mind: its dangers. Intoxication from liquors does not take away piety.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1805 · Entry 4028
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.