Joseph Joubert Quotes

French moralist and essayist

Joseph Joubert (7 May 1754 – 4 May 1824) was a French moralist and essayist. He published nothing during his lifetime; after his death in 1824, Joubert's widow entrusted his manuscripts to François-René de Chateaubriand, who published a short selection of them for private circulation, under the title Recueil des Pensées de M. Joubert (Collected Thoughts of Mr. Joubert) (Paris, 1838). This volume was subsequently re-edited with many additions by Paul Raynal, a nephew of the author, under the new title of Pensées, Essais, Maximes et Correspondance de J. Joubert (Thoughts, Essays, Maxims and Correspondence of J. Joubert) (Paris, 1842). A selection from his correspondence was published in 1883.

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There must be several voices together in one voice for it to be beautiful. And several meanings in one word for it to be beautiful.

I have too much brain for my head. It cannot play comfortably in its box.

All gardeners live in beautiful places because they make them so.

One always adds a little of one's soul to what one thinks.

From the center we should perceive the circle.

Those who never back down love themselves more than they love the truth.

Undoubtedly, philosophy caused the Revolution. But what caused philosophy? Theological arrogance.

Beyond the brain, there is something that observes the brain itself.

What you call weakness comes from the strength of friendship.

All clear and transparent words appear to be beautiful sounds. Yes and no are not precisely clear words, but definite words. In clear words, there is more light than movement or attitude.

...burdened with the unbearable weight of ourselves.

All those whom for style is not a game but a labor.

Available. A thought is perfect only when it is perfectly available, that is to say when one can place it and detach it at will.

I did not have good eyes nor light in my mind that day.

Think nothing outside their paper.