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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French Page · Branch 564 of 4529
YEAR 1805 · Entry 4345
French
p. 1127
etc. Dans le plein-chant, les notes multipliées sur-la même syllabe imitent, l’une la voix de l’entonneur, les autres sa voix répétée par le chœur ou le peuple, par les retentissemens de la voute ou des murs. Véritable musique populaire. Le chœur donc y imite le peuple et le chantre y imite le chœur. De plus, le chant y fait sentir le lieu. [véritable musique populaire] et faite pour remplir les dômes et les vastes nefs. Ses unissons sont successifs. La multitude triple et décuple chaque ton. L’écho s’y trouve dans le chant. Et remarquez que les chants consacrés aux solennités ont proportionnellement plus de répétition parce qu’en effet ce jour là on fesoit les cérémonies dans des édifices plus vastes ou dans des édifices pleins d’une plus grande multitude et où par conséquent devoit se trouver plus de voix, plus de successions, plus d’échos. C’est donc un peuple chantant tout entier et à la fois ou tour à tour que notre musique d’église imite et peint. (Car pour peindre il faut imiter.)
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1805
p. 1128 etc. In plainchant, the notes multiplied on the same syllable imitate, one the voice of the intoner, the others his voice repeated by the choir or the people, by the reverberations of the vault or the walls. True popular music. The choir thus imitates the people in it, and the cantor imitates the choir. Moreover, the chant makes the place felt. [true popular music] and made to fill domes and vast naves. Its unisons are successive. The multitude triples and increases tenfold each tone. The echo is found within the chant. And observe that the chants devoted to solemn occasions have proportionately more repetition because on that day the ceremonies were in fact performed in larger buildings or in buildings full of a greater multitude, where consequently there must have been more voices, more successions, more echoes. It is therefore a whole people singing together or in turn that our church music imitates and paints. (For to paint one must imitate.)
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1805 · Entry 4345
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.