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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English Page · Branch 3867 of 4529
YEAR 1816 · Entry 7648
French
p. 773323 juillet.
La science y est peut-être, mais ce qui fait plaisir dans la science n’y est pas.
Comme cet homme qui distinguoit la forme des objets, mais qui ne voyoit dans tous que la même couleur : par exemple les cerises mûres et leurs feuilles. C’est ainsi que, dans ces esprits, la science y est mais ce qui fait plaisir dans la science n’y est pas. De même, dans le télescope, on voit les astres; mais ce qui charme dans les astres ne s’y voit pas.
De même, la peau humaine vuë au microscope, les traits vus au miroir concave, etc. Partout le scavoir gâte la beauté, l’instrument sert moins que l’organe, la faculté dans ses limites vaut mieux que dans ses extensions.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1816
p. 7734July 23.
Knowledge may be there, but what gives pleasure in knowledge is not.
Like that man who distinguished the shape of objects but saw only the same color in all of them: for example, ripe cherries and their leaves. So it is in these minds: knowledge is there, but what gives pleasure in knowledge is not. In the same way, through the telescope one sees the stars; but what charms in the stars is not seen there.
In the same way, human skin seen through the microscope, features seen in a concave mirror, etc. Everywhere knowledge spoils beauty, the instrument serves less well than the organ, the faculty within its limits is worth more than in its extensions.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1816 · Entry 7648
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.