Vitruvius quotes

Vitruvius was a Roman architect, engineer, and author, best known for his treatise "De Architectura." His work laid the foundation for classical architecture and influenced generations of builders and artists. He is regarded as one of the most important sources of knowledge about ancient Roman building techniques. Here are 253 of his quotes:

Philosophy treats of physics where a more careful knowledge is required because the problems which come under this head are numerous... So the reader of Ctesibius or Archimedes and the other writers of treatises of the same class will not be able to appreciate them unless he has been trained in these subjects by the philosophers.

Vitruvius

The oak... has not the efficacy of the fir, nor the cypress that of the elm.

Vitruvius

water from clay pipes is much more wholesome than that which is conducted through lead pipes, because lead is found to be harmful for the reason that white lead is derived from it, and this is said to be hurtful to the human system.

Vitruvius

Fir: it contains a great deal of air and fire with very little moisture and the earthy, so that, as its natural properties are of the lighter class, it is not heavy. Hence, its consistence being naturally stiff, it does not easily bend under the load, and keeps its straightness when used in the framework. But it contains so much heat that it generates and encourages decay, which spoils it; and it also kindles fire quickly because of the air in its body, which is so open that it takes in fire and so gives out a great flame.

Vitruvius

There are also half bricks. ...As the bricks are always laid so as to break joints, this lends strength and a not unattractive appearance to both sides of such walls.

Vitruvius

nothing suffers annihilation, but at dissolution there is a change, and things fall back to the essential element in which they were before.

Vitruvius

Let him [who would be an architect] be educated, skillful with the pencil, instructed in geometry, know much history, have followed the philosophers with attention, understand music, have some knowledge of medicine, know the opinions of the jurists, and be acquainted with astronomy and the theory of the heavens.

Vitruvius

It was a wise and useful provision of the ancients to transmit their thoughts to posterity by recording them in treatises, so that they should not be lost, but, being developed in succeeding generations through publications in books, should gradually attain in later times, to the highest refinement of learning.

Vitruvius

As regards the efficacy of the art and the theories of it, I promise and expect that in these volumes I shall undoubtedly show myself of very considerable importance not only to builders but also to all scholars.

Vitruvius

Of course, we need not be surprised if artistic excellence goes unrecognized on account of being unknown; but there should be the greatest indignation when, as often, good judges are flattered by the charm of social entertainments into an approbation which is a mere a pretence.

Vitruvius

If our designs for private houses are to be correct, we must at the outset take note of the countries and climates in which they are built.

Vitruvius

If then, at this great distance, our human vision can discern that sight, why, pray, are we to think that the divine splendor of the stars can be cast into darkness?

Vitruvius

Propriety is that perfection of style which comes when a work is authoritatively constructed on approved principles. It arises from prescription, from usage, or from nature.

Vitruvius

All these soft kinds [of stone] have the advantage that they can be easily worked as soon as they have been taken from the quarries. Under cover, they play their part well; but in open and exposed situations the frost and rime make them crumble, and they go to pieces. On the seacoast, too, the salt eats away and dissolves them, nor can they stand great heat either.

Vitruvius

Bricks should be made in Spring or Autumn so that they may dry uniformly.

Vitruvius

From food and water, then, we may learn whether sites are naturally unhealthy or healthy.

Vitruvius

Pytheos made a mistake by not observing that the arts are each composed of two things, the actual work and the theory of it. One of these, the doing of the work, is proper to men trained in the individual subject, while the other the theory is common to all scholars.

Vitruvius

Architecture depends on Order, Arrangement, Eurythmy, Symmetry, Propriety, and Economy.

Vitruvius

The design of a temple depends on symmetry, the principles of which must be most carefully observed by the architect.

Vitruvius

As for philosophy, it makes an architect high-minded and not self-assuming, but rather renders him courteous, just, and honest without avariciousness. This is very important, for no work can be rightly done without honesty and incorruptibility.

Vitruvius

Cold winds are disagreeable, hot winds enervating, moist winds unhealthy.

Vitruvius

An architect ought to be an educated man so as to leave a more lasting remembrance in his treatises.

Vitruvius