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.
French Page · Branch 3086 of 4529
YEAR 1814 · Entry 6867
French
p. 6171Et si nous n’étions pour les dieux qu’un spectacle, encore notre confiance en eux, nos vœux, nos prières, notre espérance seroient-elles propres à leur plaire. Ils nous aimeroient pour ces pieuses illusions; et si ces illusions devoient d’ailleurs être trompées, elles n’en seroient pas moins le charme le plus propre à rendre heureuse notre vie.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1814
p. 6172And if we were only a spectacle for the gods, still our trust in them, our vows, our prayers, our hope would be fit to please them. They would love us for these pious illusions; and if these illusions were, moreover, to be disappointed, they would be no less the charm best suited to make our life happy.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1814 · Entry 6867
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.