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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English Page · Branch 741 of 4529
YEAR 1806 · Entry 4522
French
p. 1481Quand l’esprit a pris l’habitude de ne rien exprimer sans avoir réfléchi sur l’objet et sur l’expression; quand cette habitude nous a donné pour premier mouvement celui de suspendre notre opération affin de la rendre plus sûre; quand enfin on s’est accoutumé à l’attendre et à laisser les idées des choses venir paisiblement des choses à nous... Tout cela (dira-t-on) n’est qu’une habitude. On a raison. Mais cette habitude changée en nature est indestructible. Et elle a ses utilités. Elle est fâcheuse pour l’auteur, mais très avantageuse à l’ouvrage, et par conséquent au lecteur.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1806
p. 1482When the mind has acquired the habit of expressing nothing without having reflected on the object and on the expression; when this habit has given us, as our first impulse, that of suspending our operation to make it surer; when, finally, one has grown accustomed to waiting for it and letting the ideas of things come peacefully from things to us... All that (one will say) is only a habit. One is right. But this habit, changed into nature, is indestructible. And it has its uses. It is troublesome for the author, but very advantageous to the work, and consequently to the reader.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1806 · Entry 4522
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.