Joubert on the novum: "Of certain beauties, certain thoughts, certain feelings, certain imaginative traits that are absolutely new. No one was expecting them. Their novelty makes people indecisive. We are afraid to hazard our judgment, to compromise the honor of our opinion. We decide to approve of thse things late. We dare not tste them; we want proofs to be provided first. We are completely surprise that these things continue to charm us long after we have seen them for the first time."