Impetuousness
Whether because of his youth or his lack of responsibilities, Rousseau turns out to be quite an impetuous guy. He follows his every impulse, yet he's unwilling to accept the consequences of his actions. From the start of the book, readers learn about Rousseau's fickle nature when he quits his apprenticeship, a difficult and somewhat illegal venture. He can't seem to master the patience it would take for him to become a successful engraver, so Rousseau just packs up and leaves. He's perfectly comfortable accepting charity from other people, even tricking them into offering it like he does with the Catholics in Turin. When Rousseau's poor impulse control gets him into a tight spot, he exclusively chooses to run away. For example, he has an affair with Mme d'Epinay while he and she are both married to other people. After being publicly shamed for the affair, Rousseau packs up and moves to another country, reinvents himself yet again, hoping his reputation has not preceded him. This seeming disrespect for causality leads him to burn most of his acquaintances and even entire countries where he's no longer welcome.
Reputation
Again, Rousseau places great stock in reputation. The social era to which he belongs is one of distinct and harsh social classes. Perhaps after growing up an orphan, Rousseau feels like he needs to prove himself to society. He does not believe that he should be lumped in with the lower class, but his constant mistakes make it difficult for him to convince anybody of this. He's given opportunity after opportunity to hold down a respectable job and to earn himself some respect from his peers and elders, but he doesn't seem able to resist the urge to misbehave. Finally, Rousseau realizes that he will not be successful on his current course. Unwilling to master his impulses, he decides to prove himself in another way -- through art. He becomes a wildly successful artist, expecting people to treat him differently as a result. He does not, however, treat his patrons and fans well, so they soon abandon him one by one. Desperate for satisfaction, Rousseau writes this book in order to prove to his new social sphere in England that he deserves respect after such an eventful, resourceful life.
Lack of Maternal Influence
Rousseau's mother dies while giving birth to him. Growing up without a mother and with an absent father figure, he lacks the feminine influence which he so desperately needed as a boy. In adulthood this translates into distinct, attention-seeking kind of sexual promiscuity. Rousseau engages in dozens of affairs with all sorts of women, but every time he is looking for some kind of validation. He wants these women to be his mother, to look out for him and encourage him. When they fail, the women are cast aside and humiliated by Rousseau. He's not a kind person, yet again probably due to his lack of early maternal influence. This becomes painfully apparent when Rousseau starts taking up with older women. He has three separate affairs with older women who invite him into their homes long-term. While these arrangements are easy for his to keep, Rousseau obviously does not care for them. He leaves whenever some other position seems more appealing or easier. He was hoping these old ladies would treat him like a son, but they wanted sex and to be made to feel young and desirable again.
Escapism
Rousseau's utter lack of personal responsibility is nearly disturbing in this text. Although he writes the book himself, Rousseau doesn't exactly paint himself in a favorable light. He seems to be unaware that his actions demonstrate a sheer deniable of responsibility for his failures. For a guy like Rousseau who is anxious to experience all that life can possibly offer, he does not handle the consequences of his actions gracefully. Every single time he makes a mistake -- like cheating on his wife, -- he runs away, moves to another city or even country. Rather than put down roots and deal with his problems, Rousseau leads a transient, temporary lifestyle. He cannot, however, escape his problems forever. By the time he returns to his hometown in Switzerland, he is wanted by the authorities and recognized as a cheat and a liar by the general public.
