Diotimos Library · Journals, Notebooks & Fragments Collection · Bilingual Edition
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II
Complete Notebooks · French with an independent English translation.
Explore the LexiconSwipe or use the arrow keys.
English Page · Branch 2684 of 4529
1812 · Entry 6465
French
p. 5367[…]2 octobre.
Dieu luit sur nous. Nous sommes éclairés par ce qu’il luit sur nous […]t nous sommes droits parce qu’il nous touche. Dieu nous éclaire […]omme lumière, il nous redresse comme règle. Cette règle non discer[…]ée mais sentie sert de point de comparaison à nos jugemens, dans […]out ce qui doit être estimé par une autre voye que celle des sens.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: 1812
p. 5368October […]2.
God shines upon us. We are enlightened because he shines upon us [and] we are straight because he touches us. God enlightens us [as] light, he straightens us as rule. This rule, not [discerned] but felt, serves as a point of comparison for our judgments in [everything] that must be assessed by a way other than that of the senses.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · 1812 · Entry 6465
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.