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Vitruvius Quotes

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About Vitruvius

**Vitruvius** (circa 80 BC – circa 15 BC), whose original name was Marcus Terentius Varro Vitruvius Pollio, was a renowned Roman architect, engineer, and author during the late Republic period. Born in the late 1st century BC, little is known about his early life; however, it's believed he served as an architect for the Roman military, possibly under Julius Caesar or Augustus Caesar. His most significant contribution to human knowledge lies in his only surviving work, "De Architectura," translated as "The Ten Books on Architecture." This comprehensive treatise covers a wide range of topics related to architecture, engineering, and urban planning, making it an essential resource for scholars and practitioners alike. The work is divided into ten books, each focusing on various aspects such as design principles, materials, construction techniques, and even aesthetics. Vitruvius's influences can be traced back to the Greek architectural tradition and philosophical thought, especially that of Plato and Aristotle. He also drew inspiration from the Romans themselves, particularly from their practical experience in building monumental structures like temples, aqueducts, and amphitheaters. In "De Architectura," Vitruvius presents three principles for good design: firmitas (durability), utilitas (usefulness), and venustas (beauty). These principles have endured as key concepts in the field of architecture even to this day, demonstrating his lasting impact on the discipline. Despite his life being shrouded in mystery, Vitruvius's contributions to architecture and engineering continue to be celebrated, making him a vital figure in the history of Western art and culture.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Architecture is a science, an art, and a practice."

This quote by Vitruvius highlights that architecture encompasses three fundamental aspects: scientific rigor (the application of principles to design functional buildings), artistic expression (the creative and aesthetic elements in architectural designs), and practical implementation (the ability to construct buildings that meet the needs of society). Essentially, Vitruvius is suggesting that good architecture must balance these three dimensions effectively.

"I consider architecture to be a part of mathematics."

Vitruvius' statement underscores the fundamental role of mathematical principles in the discipline of architecture. He believed that architecture is not merely an art or craft, but a science grounded in mathematics. This idea emphasizes that architectural designs should be based on rationality, symmetry, and proportion, which are all inherent in mathematical concepts. In essence, his quote highlights the importance of logic and precision in the creation of buildings, suggesting that successful architecture combines both aesthetics and science to produce functional and harmonious structures.

"The purpose of architecture is to shelter, delight, and inspire people."

This quote by Vitruvius emphasizes that architecture serves three primary functions: providing shelter (essential for human survival), creating pleasure (through aesthetics and design), and inspiring people (eliciting feelings of awe, wonder, or emotion). In essence, architecture is not just about building structures; it's about enhancing the quality of life by offering practical solutions while also uplifting our spirits.

"In architecture, it is necessary that before touching pen to paper, the architect should first train his mental eye to draw a mental picture of his design."

This quote emphasizes the importance of visualizing a design in an architect's mind before actually drawing it on paper. It underscores the crucial role of imagination, creativity, and preliminary thought processes in architecture. The architect should not merely rely on technical skills but also harness their intellectual abilities to envision and conceptualize a successful design.

"It is more important to ensure the durability of buildings than their ornamentation."

The quote emphasizes that the primary purpose of architecture should be ensuring the longevity and structural integrity of buildings, rather than merely focusing on aesthetic appeal or decoration. A building that stands the test of time is more valuable and beneficial to its occupants and society as a whole, compared to one that may look beautiful but lacks durability. This perspective encourages architects to prioritize practicality, functionality, and resilience in their designs, while still respecting the aesthetics of their creations.

Bodies which contain a greater proportion of water than is necessary to balance the other elements, are speedily corrupted, and lose their virtues and properties.

- Vitruvius

Other, Which, Contain, Corrupted

Proportion is that agreeable harmony between the several parts of a building, which is the result of a just and regular agreement of them with each other; the height to the width, this to the length, and each of these to the whole.

- Vitruvius

Harmony, Other, Which, Agreeable

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 decided on; for sacred edifices, for the forum, and for other public buildings.

- Vitruvius

Other, Streets, Set, Sites

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 formed of those works which are the result of other arts.

- Vitruvius

Other, Which, Works, Adorned

Since, therefore, individuals as well as the public are so indebted to these writers for the benefits they enjoy, I think them not only entitled to the honour of palms and crowns, but even to be numbered among the gods.

- Vitruvius

Benefits, I Think, Entitled, Numbered

I am moreover inclined to be concise when I reflect on the constant occupation of the citizens in public and private affairs, so that in their few leisure moments they may read and understand as much as possible.

- Vitruvius

Private, Constant, Read, Moreover

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 shadow instead of the substance.

- Vitruvius

Practical, Reasons, Grasping, Wherefore

In setting out the walls of a city the choice of a healthy situation is of the first importance: it should be on high ground, neither subject to fogs nor rains; its aspects should be neither violently hot nor intensely cold, but temperate in both respects.

- Vitruvius

City, Importance, Subject, Rains

Consistency is found in that work whose whole and detail are suitable to the occasion. It arises from circumstance, custom, and nature.

- Vitruvius

Work, Nature, Occasion, Arises

Wind is a floating wave of air, whose undulation continually varies.

- Vitruvius

Air, Whose, Varies, Floating

Nothing requires the architect's care more than the due proportions of buildings.

- Vitruvius

Architecture, More, Due, Proportions

Harmony is an obscure and difficult musical science, but most difficult to those who are not acquainted with the Greek language; because it is necessary to use many Greek words to which there are none corresponding in Latin.

- Vitruvius

Harmony, Greek, Which, Acquainted

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 purpose of sacrificing to her.

- Vitruvius

Purpose, City, Which, Sacrificing

From the exterior face of the wall towers must be projected, from which an approaching enemy may be annoyed by weapons, from the embrasures of those towers, right and left.

- Vitruvius

May, Which, Exterior, Towers

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 neighbour is not likely to interfere with the light.

- Vitruvius

Country, Likely, Neighbour, Interfere

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 the close alliance with each other, of the different branches of science, will explain the difficulty.

- Vitruvius

Other, Explain, Uninformed, Unaccountable

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 same in an open space.

- Vitruvius

Science, Very, Placed, Open

Beauty is produced by the pleasing appearance and good taste of the whole, and by the dimensions of all the parts being duly proportioned to each other.

- Vitruvius

Beauty, Other, Good Taste, Produced

When it passes towards the east, the sun begins to have less effect upon it, and a thin line on the edge of its bright side emits its splendour towards the earth.

- Vitruvius

Bright, Line, Side, Thin

Dimension regulated the general scale of the work, so that the parts may all tell and be effective.

- Vitruvius

Effective, May, General, Dimension

But I, Caesar, have not sought to amass wealth by the practice of my art, having been rather contented with a small fortune and reputation, than desirous of abundance accompanied by a want of reputation.

- Vitruvius

Wealth, Practice, Small, Caesar

I, therefore, O Caesar, do not publish this work, merely prefixing my name to a treatise which of right belongs to others, nor think of acquiring reputation by finding fault with the works of any one.

- Vitruvius

Reputation, Works, Nor, Caesar

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 should be winding and turn to the left from the gates.

- Vitruvius

Against, Surrounded, Leading, Winding

Quicksilver is used for many purposes; without it, neither silver nor brass can be properly gilt.

- Vitruvius

Nor, Properly, Neither, Purposes

The thickness of the walls should be sufficient for two armed men to pass each other with ease.

- Vitruvius

Walls, Ease, Other, Sufficient

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 taken that the expenditure is prudently conducted.

- Vitruvius

Proper, Expenditure, Means, Afforded

Marble is not alike in all countries.

- Vitruvius

Alike, Countries, Marble

Music assists him in the use of harmonic and mathematical proportion.

- Vitruvius

Music, Him, Use, Proportion

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