How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter)
Quote #1
The works of Fortune are not independent of Nature or the spinning and weaving together of the threads governed by Providence. All things flow from that world: and further factors are necessity and benefit of the whole universe, of which you are part. (2.3)
Marcus is a huge fan of unity. In this case, it's the unity of divine agents that rule human life and keep the universe ticking away. Some of these forces may seem frightening (like the Fates that measure, weave, and clip the thread of individual lives), but they all exist to nurture the health of the Whole. Individual human lives are part of this, but they can't be valued above the eternal action of the universe.
Quote #2
How all things quickly vanish, our bodies themselves lost in the physical world, the memories of them lost in time; the nature of all objects of the senses—especially those which allure us with pleasure, frighten us with pain, or enjoy the applause of vanity—how cheap they are, how contemptible, how shoddy, perishable, and dead... (2.12)
Marcus is not shy about discussing the temporary nature of human life and all the trappings that go along with it. He makes a strong point here about the valueless nature of worldly things, including the desire for fame and praise. Marcus piles on the doom and gloom to make a point: these are not the things we should spend our energy gathering or even thinking about. To do so will take away from life, not increase its value.
Quote #3
The soul of a man harms itself, first and foremost, when it becomes (as far as it can) a separate growth, a sort of tumour on the universe: because to resent anything that happens is to separate oneself in revolt from Nature, which holds in collective embrace the particular natures of all other things. (2.16)
This graphic statement emphasizes Marcus's belief that humans are social in nature: we're born for each other and commanded by the universe to undertake social acts to benefit the community. To cut yourself off from the community of the universe is a grave sin, but not one without recourse. Marcus later speaks about how a person can "re-graft" him- or herself back onto society—but that things are never the same once he or she has broken away. Hey, the emperor is a law-and-order kind of guy. The concept of revolt strikes him with a horror that even death can't equal.