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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French Page · Branch 2778 of 4529
YEAR 1813 · Entry 6559
French
p. 555521 avril.
Cela est beau comme éloquence, mais non pas comme conduite. L’orateur veut persuader et l’homme de bien peut y aspirer quand d’ailleurs son but est louable. L’homme à caractère ne veut que se montrer tel qu’il est. Disons donc de ce discours qu’il est touchant et ajoutons qu’il est louable. Plus d’audace et de fermeté auroient été plus exemplaires, mais non toutefois plus utiles. On eût plus admiré un dévoument plus décidé, mais non pas mieux servi l’innocence attaquée.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1813
p. 5556April 21.
That is beautiful as eloquence, but not as conduct. The orator wishes to persuade, and the good man may aspire to it when his aim is otherwise praiseworthy. The man of character wishes only to show himself as he is. Let us therefore say of this discourse that it is touching and add that it is praiseworthy. More boldness and firmness would have been more exemplary, but not, however, more useful. One would have admired a more decided devotion more, but would not have served innocence under attack any better.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1813 · Entry 6559
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.