From the book
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volumes I–II
Joseph Joubert · Diotimos Editions · 2026
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At a Glance
- The wordMœurs extends from customary ways of living to moral dispositions.
- In JoubertThe posture comparison speculates that bodily habits influence collective ways, but leaves the relative faults of softness and stiffness undecided.
- In this editionThe English translation uses ways in the bodily speculation, morals in the taste comparison and manners in the three-part list.
- A place to beginBodily posture is speculatively related to customary ways.
- English renderings
- ways; morals; manners
Meaning
Mœurs extends from customary ways of living to moral dispositions. It should not automatically be reduced to etiquette; manières and politesse carry different emphases.
Use in the book
The posture comparison speculates that bodily habits influence collective ways, but leaves the relative faults of softness and stiffness undecided. The taste/morals note links aesthetic softness with a flattering morality. The final list of patriarchal, austere and holy manners gives a set of moral-social qualities rather than instructions for polite behavior. These uses show how mœurs can carry both descriptive custom and evaluative conduct.
Places to read
- I, p. 38, entry 4, ¶1Bodily posture is speculatively related to customary ways.
- II, p. 536, entry 8, ¶1Taste and morals share a criticized softness.
- II, p. 882, entry 2, ¶3Manners are qualified as patriarchal, austere and holy.
Translation in this edition
The English translation uses ways in the bodily speculation, morals in the taste comparison and manners in the three-part list. This variation follows context. The generalization about Asians remains Joubert’s historical wording and is not supplied as evidence about present populations.
Source note
Beaunier 1938, I, pp. 38; II, pp. 536, 882.