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Harmony Quote by Leon Battista Alberti

“...nothing other than the harmony of the individual limbs and parts, so that nothing can be added or taken away without damaging it.” quote by Leon Battista Alberti
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““...nothing other than the harmony of the individual limbs and parts, so that nothing can be added or taken away without damaging it.””

Leon Battista Alberti

About This Quote

Source Treat: De Re Aedificatoria by Leon Battista Alberti, 1452

The quote emphasizes that a well‑designed whole depends on each part fitting perfectly; any alteration harms the system.

In simple terms: A perfect whole needs each part to fit; changes break it.

Key Takeaway

Preserve integrity by respecting each component.

Themes

design architecture integrity holism

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

philosophical technical

When to use this quote

  • building design
  • product development
  • team projects
  • software architecture

Key Concepts

proportion symmetry systems theory

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you ensure each part contributes positively?
  • When is it justified to modify a component?
A Different Perspective

Changing a single element may improve function, but can also disrupt balance.

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