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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Facing Pages · Branch 2740 of 4529
YEAR 1813 · Entry 6521
French
p. 547930 janvier.
Forfait, action blâmable — fortement faite. Peut-être par une juste disposition de la providence, les forfaits multiplient les maux qu’ils veulent prévenir. Peut être si Caligula n’avoit pas été tué par un coup et une conspiration qui paroissent d’abord louables, Claude n’auroit pas régné, ni Domitien, ni Commode, ni Héliogabale etc. Caligula, après quelques crimes, auroit vécu son âge, seroit mort dans son lit, et la succession des empereurs romains auroit pris un autre cours et un cours plus heureux. Peut être ce qui est mal ou entaché du mal, ne produit jamais que du mal. Dieu se réserve les malheurs pour les infliger (appliquer) à propos. Enfin nous sommes chargés de bien faire uniquement. C’est nôtre tâche.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1813
p. 5480January 30.
Crime, a blameworthy action — forcefully done. Perhaps, by a just disposition of providence, crimes multiply the evils they seek to prevent. Perhaps if Caligula had not been killed by a blow and a conspiracy that at first seem praiseworthy, Claudius would not have reigned, nor Domitian, nor Commodus, nor Heliogabalus, etc. Caligula, after a few crimes, would have lived out his years, would have died in his bed, and the succession of Roman emperors would have taken another course and a happier course. Perhaps what is evil or tainted with evil, never produces anything but evil. God reserves misfortunes to himself, to inflict (apply) them at the right time. Finally, we are charged solely with doing good. That is our task.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1813 · Entry 6521
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.