Vitruvius Quotes

14 quotes in 221 categories

• Architecture is a science arising out of many other sciences, and adorned with much and varied learning; by the help of which a judgment is…
• Wherefore the mere practical architect is not able to assign sufficient reasons for the forms he adopts; and the theoretic architect also fails, grasping the…
• Music assists him in the use of harmonic and mathematical proportion.
• Perhaps, to the uninformed, it may appear unaccountable that a man should be able to retain in his memory such a variety of learning; but…
• Dimension regulated the general scale of the work, so that the parts may all tell and be effective.
• Economy consists in a due and proper application of the means afforded according to the ability of the employer and the situation chosen; care being…
• An easy approach to the walls must be provided against: indeed they should be surrounded by uneven ground, and the roads leading to the gates…
• The thickness of the walls should be sufficient for two armed men to pass each other with ease.
• The lanes and streets of the city being set out, the choice of sites for the convenience and use of the state remains to be…
• The temple of Ceres should be in a solitary spot out of the city, to which the public are not necessarily led but for the…
• For an object under the eye will appear very different from the same object placed above it; in an inclosed space, very different from the…
• Care should be taken that all buildings are well lighted: in those of the country this point is easily accomplished, because the wall of a…
• Marble is not alike in all countries.
• Quicksilver is used for many purposes; without it, neither silver nor brass can be properly gilt.

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