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 757 of 4529
Theory of the Political World, or On the Science of Government Considered… · Entry 4538
French
p. 1513A commencer de la page 131 jusqu’à la fin il répète vingt fois que « ce n’est pas là une supposition, c’est une abstraction à laquelle j’ai adapté les faits qui lui servoient de baze. C’est donc une démonstration. » Mais, mon ami, ne vois tu pas que ta baze et tes faits sont de pures pensées. Ils sont tracés dans ton esprit et non devant tes yeux. Tu peux avoir raison, mais ce n’est pas par la force de ton procédé, car tu ne fais ici qu’appliquer une abstraction à d’autres abstractions. Redisons le : — Dans les démonstrations géométriques, si l’axiome est dans notre tête, la figure est devant nos yeux; et entre nos yeux et la figure il y a la lumière de tout le soleil pour éclairer les erreurs que nous pourrions commettre dans l’application du principe au fait. Mais, dans ces prétendues démonstrations politiques, nous ne voyons le fait que dans notre esprit (ou dans notre mémoire, puisqu’il est historique) et nous ne le voyons qu’avec la seule lumière de notre esprit, lumière vague, tremblottante. J’ai dit cela ailleurs.
Observations. — Cette méthode est dangereuse ou peu utile parce que la vérité et les erreurs y sont imperceptibles. D’ailleurs (et c’est un autre inconvénient) il faut, pour envisager et présenter ainsi les objets, se maintenir dans une parfaite insensibilité et regarder avec indifférence ce qui importe le plus à tout le genre humain. Dans le langage, on ne peut se permettre aucuns de ces beaux mots qui font penser à mille choses à la fois. Ce genre même les exclud. Enfin, beaucoup de netteté, un enchaînement très suivi font lire avec plaisir de pareils livres; mais quand on les a lus, on ne se souvient plus de ce qui nous y a plu. Parce que les termes n’y ont de mérite et de justesse que par rapport à la manière si singulière dont l’auteur a traité et envisagé son sujet.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: Theory of the Political World, or On the Science of Government Considered…
p. 1514From page 131 to the end he repeats twenty times that “this is not a supposition, it is an abstraction to which I have adapted the facts that served as its basis. It is therefore a demonstration.” But, my friend, do you not see that your basis and your facts are pure thoughts. They are drawn in your mind and not before your eyes. You may be right, but it is not by the strength of your procedure, for here you do nothing but apply an abstraction to other abstractions. Let us say it again: — In geometrical demonstrations, if the axiom is in our head, the figure is before our eyes; and between our eyes and the figure there is the light of the whole sun to illuminate the errors we might commit in applying the principle to the fact. But in these supposed political demonstrations, we see the fact only in our mind (or in our memory, since it is historical) and we see it only by the sole light of our mind, a vague, trembling light. I have said this elsewhere.
Observations. — This method is dangerous or of little use because truth and errors are imperceptible in it. Besides (and this is another disadvantage), to view and present objects in this way, one must remain perfectly insensible and look with indifference on what matters most to the whole human race. In language, one cannot permit oneself any of those beautiful words that make one think of a thousand things at once. The very genre excludes them. Finally, much clearness and a closely sustained chain of reasoning make us read such books with pleasure; but when we have read them, we no longer remember what pleased us in them. Because the terms have merit and precision in them only in relation to the author’s singular way of treating and viewing his subject.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · Theory of the Political World, or On the Science of Government Considered… · Entry 4538
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.