Chapter I: Part I: Life of the author 9

I. Introduction, 15

II. Influence of solitude upon the mind, 19

III. Influence of solitude upon the heart, 60

IV. General advantages of retirement, 109

V. Advantages of solitude in exile, 134

VI. Advantages of solitude in old age and on the bed of death, 138

PART II.

I. Introduction, 149

II. Of the motives to solitude, 157

III. Disadvantages of solitude, 185

IV. Influence of solitude on the imagination, 200

V. Effects of solitude on a melancholy mind, 216

VI. Influence of solitude on the passions, 235

VII. Of the danger of idleness in solitude, 274

VIII. Conclusion, 279