How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter)
Quote #4
There is a river of creation, and time is a violent stream. As soon as one thing comes into sight, it is swept past and another is carried down: it too will be taken on its way. (4.43)
Marcus uses the metaphor of time as a rushing stream to illustrate how short-lived human experience really is. The metaphor is particularly apt here, since it conveys the swiftness of time as well as the movement of all created things through it.
Quote #5
Look behind you at the huge gulf of time, and another infinity ahead. In this perspective what is the difference between an infant of three days and a Nestor of three generations? (4.50)
With the loss of so many of his own children, it's easy to see why Marcus spends so much time on the idea that the quantity of life is insignificant. He links this idea to that of the sameness of existence: if you've been around for 40 years, you've seen it all. Stuff is just going to start repeating itself, so there's no real need to hang around and experience more.
Quote #6
Reflect too on the yawning gulf of past and future time, in which all things vanish. So in all this is must be folly for anyone to be puffed with ambition, racked in struggle, or indignant at his lot—as if this was anything lasting or likely to trouble him for long. (5.23)
Marcus learns many lessons from observing the swift movement of time. This one is a favorite: why value anything of this earth, since it is so ephemeral? He reflects on the stupidity of struggling to gain fame or fussing about his fate when it's all over so soon. On the one hand, life is too short to sweat the small stuff. On the other, life is short, and he'll be dead soon. None of the drama will matter then.