Diotimos Library · Journals, Notebooks & Fragments Collection · Bilingual Edition
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II
Complete Notebooks · French with an independent English translation.
Explore the LexiconSwipe or use the arrow keys.
English Page · Branch 795 of 4529
Theory of the Political World, or On the Science of Government Considered… · Entry 4576
French
p. 1589Pour procéder par l’analyse, il faut une lenteur et une patience dont tous les bons esprits ne sont pas susceptibles. Pour procéder par la synthèse, il faut une rapidité d’observation et une puissance de pénétration dont tout le monde n’est pas capable. On peut dresser à l’analyse par des exemples, mais on n’apprend point la synthèse. Quiquonque n’en est pas né capable ne le devient pas. L’analyse est commode pour tous les professeurs. Mais elle n’est point utile à tous les écoliers. Il est des esprits qui sont nés pour une autre allure. On les retarde; on les disloque quand on les force à ces retardemens.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: Theory of the Political World, or On the Science of Government Considered…
p. 1590To proceed by analysis requires a slowness and patience of which not all good minds are capable. To proceed by synthesis requires a swiftness of observation and a power of penetration of which not everyone is capable. One can be trained in analysis through examples, but one cannot learn synthesis. Whoever is not born capable of it does not become so. Analysis is convenient for all teachers. But it is not useful to all pupils. There are minds born for another gait. We hold them back; we dislocate them when we force these delays upon them.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · Theory of the Political World, or On the Science of Government Considered… · Entry 4576
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.