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 2711 of 4529
1812 · Entry 6492
French
p. 542111 décembre.
La description même d’une bataille, d’un combat doit être une leçon de morale. On ne doit en parler avec quelque détail que pour montrer l’empire que le sens-froid, les précautions, la prévoyance, etc. ont sur la fortune; ou que la fortune a quelquefois sur tout le reste; afin que les audacieux soient prudens, et que les heureux soient modestes. Tacite offre en ce genre un modèle dans le récit de la conduite de Pétus en Arménie. (Voy. Annales, liv. xv, § 6 et suiv.)
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: 1812
p. 5422December 11.
The very description of a battle, of a combat must be a lesson in morals. One should speak of it in any detail only to show the power that composure, precautions, foresight, etc. have over fortune; or that fortune sometimes has over all the rest; so that the bold may be prudent, and the fortunate modest. Tacitus offers a model of this kind in his account of the conduct of Paetus in Armenia. (See Annals, book xv, § 6 and following.)
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · 1812 · Entry 6492
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.