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 3446 of 4529
YEAR 1815 · Entry 7227
French
p. 6891On ne peut croire sincèrement d’une chose rien de ce qui est exclus de son idée par l’idée nécessaire que l’on en a. Or il nous est impossible de concevoir une chose qui pense sans imaginer aussitôt quelque chose d’incorporel. Tous les raisonnemens de Locke sur ce point ne sont qu’une pure chicane. Dans cette question surtout, Locke s’est montré ce qu’il est, logicien inventif, mais mauvais métaphysicien et anti-métaphysicien. Car il n’étoit pas seulement dépourvu de métaphysique, mais il en étoit incapable et ennemi. Bon questionneur, bon tâtonneur, mais sans lumière, — presque sans yeux. C’est un aveugle qui se sert bien de son bâton.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1815
p. 6892We cannot sincerely believe of a thing anything that is excluded from its idea by the necessary idea we have of it. Now it is impossible for us to conceive a thing that thinks without immediately imagining something incorporeal. All Locke’s reasonings on this point are nothing but pure quibbling. In this question above all, Locke has shown himself for what he is, an inventive logician, but a bad metaphysician and an anti-metaphysician. For he was not merely without metaphysics, but incapable of it and hostile to it. A good questioner, good at groping, but without light, — almost without eyes. He is a blind man who uses his stick well.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1815 · Entry 7227
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.