Art Quote by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio
“Astronomers have a common ground for discussion with musicians in the harmony of the stars and musical concords in tetrads and triads of the fourth and the fifth, and with geometricians in the subject of vision; and in all other sciences many points, perhaps all, are common so far as the discussion of them is concerned. But the actual undertaking of works which are brought to perfection by the hand and its manipulation is the function of those who have been specially trained to deal with a single art.”
About This Quote
Source Book: De Architectura by Vitruvius, 1st century BC
The quote highlights interdisciplinary connections among astronomy, music, geometry, and other sciences, while noting that mastery of a specific art requires specialized training.
In simple terms: Different fields share concepts, but true skill needs focused practice.
Cultivate depth in your chosen discipline.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- teaching
- research
- creative collaboration
- instrument making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you integrate knowledge from other fields into your craft?
- What benefits arise from mastering a single art?
Specialization can limit broader insight if not balanced with interdisciplinary curiosity.