From the book
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volumes I–II
Joseph Joubert · Diotimos Editions · 2026
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At a Glance
- The wordChristianisme names the Christian tradition in claims about moral life and in discussions of connected mysteries.
- In JoubertJoubert credits Christianity with deliverance from superstitions and with making high virtues common among women and children.
- In this editionThe English translation translates le vulgaire as “the common people,” avoiding an implication of vulgar conduct.
- A place to beginChristianity is credited with release from superstition.
- English renderings
- Christianity
Meaning
Christianisme names the Christian tradition in claims about moral life and in discussions of connected mysteries. Catholicisme receives a distinct, more specific mention.
Use in the book
Joubert credits Christianity with deliverance from superstitions and with making high virtues common among women and children. The force of the second passage lies partly in its social reversal: the common people become the wisest. Neither assertion should be expanded into a historical proof. The account of mysteries then gives Christianity, especially Catholicism, a practical structure: Trinity considered alone is speculative, but joined to Incarnation it becomes a practical truth. The relations among beliefs matter as much as their isolated content.
Places to read
- I, p. 226, entry 2, ¶1Christianity is credited with release from superstition.
- II, p. 633, entry 3, ¶1Wisdom and high virtues are described as socially widespread.
- II, p. 669, entry 7, ¶1Connected mysteries acquire practical consequence.
Translation in this edition
The English translation translates le vulgaire as “the common people,” avoiding an implication of vulgar conduct. It preserves “especially” before Catholicism and the conditional in the discussion of Trinity. This article does not silently equate Christianity and Catholicism.
Source note
Beaunier 1938, I, pp. 226; II, pp. 633, 669.