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.

Explore the Lexicon

The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume IIYEAR 1815 · Entry 7242

Swipe or use the arrow keys.

Facing Pages · Branch 3461 of 4529

YEAR 1815 · Entry 7242

Translator notesBook Mode

French

p. 6921

« Aller au bien par toutes voyes » sembloit la devise des uns. « Observer la règle à tout prix » étoit la devise des autres. La première de ces maximes, il faut la dire aux hommes, elle ne peut égarer. La seconde, il faut quelquefois la pratiquer, mais ne la conseiller jamais. Les gens de bien très éprouvés sont les seuls qui n’en puissent pas abuser.

The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1815

p. 6922

“To reach the good by every path” seemed the motto of the one group. “To observe the rule at any cost” was the motto of the other. The first of these maxims must be spoken to men; it cannot lead them astray. The second must sometimes be practiced, but never recommended. People of thoroughly tried virtue are the only ones incapable of abusing it.

T28.Seemed versus was, all-paths versus any-cost and the first/second sequence remain. Sometimes qualifies practicing the second maxim; never qualifies recommending it. Incapable preserves the modal negative of ne…puissent pas, rather than merely stating that good people happen not to abuse it. Generic passive constructions render il faut without adding an individual adviser; the opening quotations retain their own boundaries.

T428.Both separate quoted mottoes remain roman and close before their reporting verbs. Voyes retains y. Sembloit and étoit remain distinct, as do the first/second formulations and the say/practice/never-advise contrasts. The final restriction, degree très and printed ne...pas remain; the incomplete-looking impersonal coordination is not supplied with extra French words.

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.