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 918 of 4529
Mr. Hochet and Mme de Sévigné. · Entry 4699
French
p. 183529 juin.
[…] Mʳ Z. (Delalot) ajoute que le style de Mme de Maintenon est plus classique que celui de Mme de Sévigné. Si par classique il entend correct et méthodique, il a raison, et tellement raison que ce style s’apprend et peut être enseigné. Aussi a-t-il mille fois tort quand il ajoute que le même style est plus naturel... Classique, ou qui peut s’enseigner. Classique, et qui doit être enseigné. Voilà les deux qualités du classique : transmissible et irréprochable. Cette dernière qualité n’admet pas toujours l’autre.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: Mr. Hochet and Mme de Sévigné.
p. 1836June 29.
[…] Mr. Z. (Delalot) adds that Mme de Maintenon’s style is more classical than Mme de Sévigné’s. If by classical he means correct and methodical, he is right, and so right that this style can be learned and can be taught. Thus he is a thousand times wrong when he adds that the same style is more natural... Classical, or what can be taught. Classical, and what ought to be taught. These are the two qualities of the classical: transmissible and irreproachable. The latter quality does not always admit the other.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · Mr. Hochet and Mme de Sévigné. · Entry 4699
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.