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 687 of 4529
YEAR 1806 · Entry 4468
French
p. 137319 janvier.
Les arts rendent précieuses et plus précieuses que l’or même les matières qui ne l’étoient pas, comme la pierre, le marbre, le bois, etc. Jettons (pour parodier ici Diderot) jettons ce fait à la politique financière pour lui apprendre à respecter les beaux talens. Mais, au lieu d’appeler ces chefs d’œuvre des espèces de talismans auxquels sont attachées les destinées des empires, il vaudroit mieux les faire considérer uniquement comme des trophées qui doivent demeurer sacrés et qu’il n’est pas permis de déplacer, de transporter. Mʳ D. a manqué ici de sagesse. — Quand les statues seront regardées comme un ornement légitime de la victoire, elles deviendront un sujet de guerre de plus.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1806
p. 1374January 19.
The arts make precious, and more precious than gold itself, materials that were not so, such as stone, marble, wood, etc. Let us throw (to parody Diderot here), let us throw this fact at financial policy to teach it to respect fine talents. But instead of calling these masterpieces kinds of talismans to which the destinies of empires are attached, it would be better to have them considered solely as trophies that must remain sacred and that one is not allowed to displace, to transport. Mr. D. has lacked wisdom here. — When statues are regarded as a legitimate ornament of victory, they will become one more cause for war.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1806 · Entry 4468
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.