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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Facing Pages · Branch 489 of 4529
YEAR 1805 · Entry 4270
French
p. 97728 octobre.
On peut dire en deux mots que le plaisir propre de la comédie est dans le rire et que le plaisir propre de la tragédie est dans les larmes. Mais il faut, pour l’honneur du poëte qui excite le rire ou les larmes, que le rire qu’il excite soit agréable et les larmes belles. Il faut en d’autres termes que la tragédie et la comédie nous fassent rire et pleurer décemment. Ce qui force le rire et ce qui arrache les larmes n’est pas louable.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1805
p. 978October 28.
One can say in a few words that the pleasure proper to comedy lies in laughter and the pleasure proper to tragedy in tears. But for the honor of the poet who arouses laughter or tears, the laughter he arouses must be agreeable and the tears beautiful. In other words, tragedy and comedy must make us laugh and weep with decency. What forces laughter and what wrings out tears is not praiseworthy.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1805 · Entry 4270
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.