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 1821 · Entry 8158

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English Page · Branch 4377 of 4529

YEAR 1821 · Entry 8158

Translator notesBook Mode

French

p. 8753

La sagesse est le repos dans la lumière. Je parle de cette lumièr[…] qui éclaire notre intelligence et sans laquelle on ne voit rien de c[…] qui ne peut se voir. Heureux sont les esprits [.....] à se jouër dan[…] ses rayons.

The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1821

p. 8754

Wisdom is repose in light. I speak of that [light] which illuminates our intelligence and without which one sees nothing of [what] cannot be seen. Happy are the minds [.....] to play [in] its rays.

T78.The first person, double visual paradox and repeated light remain. [Light] contextually renders lumièr[…], and [in] renders dan[…]. [What] broadly represents damaged c[…] together with intact qui; its brackets do not claim that the entire French relative is lost. The separate five-point [.....] is the printed editorial omission, not a current reproduction loss; the incomplete construction around it is deliberately not repaired. Literal jouër retains its qualified paired upper marks. All text and both kinds of brackets are roman.

T139.The clipped words retain lumièr, c and dan; the r contour is worn but identifiable in color, while the missing endings are not recovered. The separate five-point bracketed [.....] is printed editorial omission, not a current reproduction gap. Original color/native 440 confirms five baseline points inside the printed brackets and the two upper e-components of jouër. The surrounding infinitival construction is left incomplete; no missing predicate is invented. All text is roman.

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.