From the book
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volumes I–II
Joseph Joubert · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Contempt
mépris; mépriser
Mépris concerns a damaging relation of appraisal, with consequences for the social support on which virtue can depend.
Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordMépris concerns a damaging relation of appraisal, with consequences for the social support on which virtue can depend.
- In JoubertThe conditional statement that it would be difficult to live despised and remain virtuous acknowledges need for support.
- In this editionThe English translation retains would be difficult, try, and as much as one can.
- A place to beginLiving despised threatens the support virtue needs.
- English renderings
- contempt; despise; despised
Meaning
Mépris concerns a damaging relation of appraisal, with consequences for the social support on which virtue can depend.
Use in the book
The conditional statement that it would be difficult to live despised and remain virtuous acknowledges need for support. It does not equate recognition with moral merit or say that despised people cannot be good. The practical injunction is correspondingly qualified: one must try, as far as possible, to despise no one. A final pair aligns contempt with contemptibility and respect with respectability while leaving the objects of the verbs unstated. That compression invites reflection on the relation itself; it does not authorize assigning its effect solely to the one who despises or the one despised.
Places to read
- I, p. 232, entry 2, ¶1Living despised threatens the support virtue needs.
- II, p. 478, entry 2, ¶1Avoiding contempt is a qualified practical injunction.
- II, p. 836, entry 7, ¶1Contempt and respect are paired with their corresponding qualities.
Translation in this edition
The English translation retains would be difficult, try, and as much as one can. It preserves the missing objects in the final paired fragments. The similar-looking méprise meaning mistake is not part of this word family’s moral use.
Source note
Beaunier 1938, I, pp. 232; II, pp. 478, 836.
From the book
Centuries of Meditations
Thomas Traherne · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Contemn
contemn; contemned; contemners
To contemn is to despise, disregard as unworthy, or refuse to value.
Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordTo contemn is to despise, disregard as unworthy, or refuse to value.
- In TraherneTraherne initially makes contempt and enjoyment appear incompatible, then distinguishes the world God made from the artificial world of vain valuations.
- In this editionThe 2026 notes to I.7 and IV.33 clarify these different objects of contempt.
- A place to beginTwo senses of world resolve the opposition between contemning and enjoying.
Meaning
To contemn is to despise, disregard as unworthy, or refuse to value. Its object must be established from the sentence: it is not an unvarying command to reject created existence.
Use in the book
Traherne initially makes contempt and enjoyment appear incompatible, then distinguishes the world God made from the artificial world of vain valuations. One must leave the second to possess the first rightly. Later, contempt can mean declining the laborious acquisition of wealth even under the excuse of future charity. Yet wealth offered by God need not be contemned, because it may have a good use. The vocabulary therefore tests the reader’s valuation and purpose rather than prescribing indiscriminate withdrawal.
Places to read
In this edition
The 2026 notes to I.7 and IV.33 clarify these different objects of contempt. Preserve the rare verb’s connection with contempt, not condemnation alone.
Source note
Primary text: I.7, IV.33, IV.89; contextual glosses: 2026 edition notes to I.7 and IV.33.