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What I love about this is that there are literal centuries separating me from Rousseau, yet so many of his musings were surprisingly relatable. Is he a bit of a drama queen & kinda whiny? Yeah, but I think he was going through it. Some of his writing made me think he had anxiety because I do & boy have I said some of the same things. Anyway, books like this remind me why I read: to see through someone else‘s eyes. 223/1,001 #1001Books

Reveries? Yes. Solitary? Definitely. Walker? Not so much. [Oops thought it was about walking!] Rousseau bounces between self-critical and self-aggrandizing, between relatable nature-lover and misogynist twit who is clumsy in acknowledging his class privilege. His last years as a social pariah cast a 'woe is me' pall over the work, though occasionally I recognize the same relief in solitude he relates. Some good points about joy, generosity.

The latest masterpiece of Jean Jacques Rousseau.

In my view, this is philosophical writing regarding soul-searching at its finest. I love such books of self-examination, of people trying to make sense of themselves and human nature. Plus, I found much of his wisdom to be personally helpful and unforgettable, captured in my book journal, filled with notes. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟

#1001Books

I think I am going to remain in my philosophical reading mood for a bit longer. 🤓

After completing Carlyle's, The French Revolution, I found this in a local used bookstore. Angst and feeling the world is against you are not limited to teenage years nor modern times it seems. Fortunately for Rousseau nature was always available.

I have never thought, for my part, that man's freedom consists in his being able to do whatever he wills, but that he should not, by any human power, be forced to do what is against his will.