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 556 of 4529
YEAR 1805 · Entry 4337
French
p. 111114 novembre.
L’ouvrage le plus propre à donner l’idée d’un bel ouvrage est donc le plus beau des ouvrages, et l’homme qui donne le mieux l’idée d’un homme accompli est le plus excellent des hommes. En tout genre, ce qui approche le plus de nous l’idée de la perfection est le plus parfait sur la terre. — Perfection. Rien donc m’en offre la réalité mais certains hommes et certaines choses peuvent nous en donner l’idée; et c’est assés pour le bonheur.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1805
p. 1112November 14.
The work best suited to giving the idea of a beautiful work is therefore the most beautiful of works, and the man who best gives the idea of an accomplished man is the most excellent of men. In every kind, what brings the idea of perfection closest to us is the most perfect thing on earth. — Perfection. Nothing, then, offers me its reality, but certain men and certain things can give us its idea; and that is enough for happiness.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1805 · Entry 4337
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.