Diotimos Library · Journals, Notebooks & Fragments Collection · Bilingual Edition

Joseph Joubert

The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II

Name: The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II
Author: Joseph Joubert

Complete Notebooks · French with an independent English translation.

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The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume IIYEAR 1814 · Entry 6910

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French Page · Branch 3129 of 4529

YEAR 1814 · Entry 6910

Translator notesBook Mode

French

p. 6257

Pour rendre un objet plus visible, il faut l’éclairer, le colorer ou le sculpter. Cela est vrai des corps et vrai aussi de toutes choses : de toutes les questions, de tous les sentimens, de toutes les idées. On éclaire une idée en l’exposant dans son vrai jour ou en la montrant toute pure. On la colore par des idées accessoires; on la sculpte ou on la moule par la phraze.

The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1814

p. 6258

To make an object more visible, one must illuminate it, color it or sculpt it. This is true of bodies and also true of all things: of all questions, of all feelings, of all ideas. One illuminates an idea by exposing it in its true light or by showing it wholly pure. One colors it with accessory ideas; one sculpts it or molds it through the phrase.

T52.The three initial operations, repeated all list and later four artistic operations remain. The light image links jour to illumination; phrase is not reduced to a single word. Or translates the qualified plain ou after vrai jour: a raised mark does not securely establish an accent, so the French is not silently changed to où. The one paragraph continues onto page 776.

T376.The single paragraph continues in the first two lines of page 776 before the asterisk. The three operations, three de tous/toutes lists and their later repetitions remain. Sentimens and phraze keep their printed spellings. Above ou after vrai jour a small raised compact block and separate thin horizontal artifact are visible; they do not certify a directional grave accent. Plain ou is retained with that explicit contour qualification, without claiming an absent upper mark. The abraded beginnings le, toutes and éclaire remain identifiable; no extra source word or gap is inferred.

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.