Marcus Vitruvius Pollio Quotes - Page 2

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In accordance with the foregoing investigations on mathematical principles, let bronze vessels be made, proportionate to the size of the theatre, and let them be so fashioned that, when touched, they may produce with one another the notes of the fourth, the fifth, and so on up the double octave.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Theatre, Principles, May

"De architectura". Book by Vitruvius. Book V, Chapter V, Section 1,

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Bricks will be most serviceable if made two years before using; for they cannot dry thoroughly in less time. When fresh undried bricks are used in a wall, the stucco covering stiffens and hardens into a permanent mass, but the bricks settle and the motion caused by their shrinking prevents them from adhering to it, and they are separated from their union with it. At Utica in constructing walls they use brick only if it is dry and made five years previously, and approved as such by the authority of a magistrate.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Wall, Years, Two

"De architectura". Book by Vitruvius. Book II, Chapter III, Section 2,

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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?

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Stars, Distance, Thinking

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

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Design, Principles, Temples

"The Ten Books On Architecture". Book III. Chapter I, Sec. 1, 15BC.

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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.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Latin, Greek, Musical

Marcus VITRUVIUS POLLIO, Joseph GWILT (1826). “The Architecture of M. Vitruvius Pollio in Ten Books, Translated from the Latin by J. Gwilt”, p.134

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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.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

White, Water, Hurtful

"De architectura (Ten Books on Architecture)". Book by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio (Book VIII, Chapter VI, Section 10), circa 15 BC.

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

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Spring, Autumn, Dry

"De architectura". Book by Vitruvius. Book II, Chapter III, Section 2,

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The proper form of economy must be observed in building houses for each and every class.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Building Houses, Class, Economy

"De architectura". Book by Vitruvius. Book I, Chapter II, Section 9,

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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.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Honesty, Philosophy, Self

"De architectura". Book by Vitruvius. Book I, Chapter I, Section 7,

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There will be natural propriety in using an eastern light for bedrooms and libraries, a western light in winter for baths and winter apartments, and a northern light for picture galleries and other places in which a steady light is needed; for that quarter of the sky grows neither light nor dark with the course of the sun, but remains steady and unshifting all day long.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Dark, Winter, Light

"De architectura". Book by Vitruvius. Book I, Chapter II, Section 7,

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Altars should face the east, and should always be placed on a lower level than are the statues in the temples, so that those who are praying and sacrificing may look upwards towards the divinity.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Sacrifice, East, Looks

"De architectura (Ten Books on Architecture)". Book by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio (Book IV, Chapter IX, Section 1), circa 15 BC.

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There will be no propriety in the spectacle of an elegant interior approached by a low mean entrance.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Mean, Entrances, Lows

"The Ten Books On Architecture". Book I. Chapter II, Sec. 6, 15BC.

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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.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Wise, Book, Generations

"De architectura (Ten Books on Architecture)". Book by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio (Book VII, Introduction, Section 1), circa 15 BC.

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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.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Judging, Excellence, Needs

"The Ten Books On Architecture". Book by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, Book III, Preface, Sec. 1, c. 15 BC.

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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.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Art, Practice, Want

Marcus VITRUVIUS POLLIO, Joseph GWILT (1826). “The Architecture of M. Vitruvius Pollio in Ten Books, Translated from the Latin by J. Gwilt”, p.163

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Burn shavings and splinters of pitch pine, and when they turn to charcoal, put them out, and pound them into mortar with size. This will make a pretty black for fresco painting.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Black, Shaving, Splinters

"De architectura (Ten Books on Architecture)". Book by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio (Book VII, Chapter X, Section 3), circa 15 BC.

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There are also kinds of water that cause death, as they run through harmful juices in the soil and become poisonous.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Running, Water, Juice

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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.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Philosophy, Class, Appreciate

"De architectura". Book by Vitruvius. Book I, Chapter I, Section 7,

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Dimension stone, flint, rubble, burnt or unburnt brick, use them as you find them. For it is not every neighborhood or particular locality that can have a wall built of burnt brick like that at Babylon, where there was plenty of asphalt to take the place of lime and sand, and yet possibly each may be provided with materials of equal usefulness so that out of them a faultless wall may be built to last forever.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Wall, Forever, Use

"De architectura". Book by Vitruvius. Book I, Chapter V, Section 8,

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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.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Taken, Play, Frost

"De architectura". Book by Vitruvius. Book II, Chapter VII, Section 2,

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Economy denotes the the proper management of materials and of site, as well as a thrifty balancing of cost and common sense in the construction of works. ...the architect does not demand things which cannot be found or made ready without great expense. For example: it is not everywhere that there is plenty of pitsand, rubble, fir, clear fir, and marble... Where there is no pitsand, we must use the kinds washed up by rivers or by the sea... and other problems we must solve in similar ways.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Sea, Rivers, Common Sense

"De architectura". Book by Vitruvius. Book I, Chapter II, Section 8,

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Heat is a universal solvent, melting out of things their power of resistance, and sucking away and removing their natural strength with its fiery exhalations so that they grow soft, and hence weak, under its glow.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Melting, Resistance, Heat

"De architectura". Book by Vitruvius. Book I, Chapter IV, Section 3,

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

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Wall, Men, Two

Marcus VITRUVIUS POLLIO, Joseph GWILT (1826). “The Architecture of M. Vitruvius Pollio in Ten Books, Translated from the Latin by J. Gwilt”, p.22

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With the ripening of the fruits in Autumn the leaves begin to wither and the trees, taking up their sap from the earth through the roots, recover themselves and are restored to their former solid texture. But the strong air of winter compresses and solidifies them.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Strong, Autumn, Winter

"The Ten Books On Architecture". Book by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, Book II, Chapter IX, Sec. 2, c. 15 BC.

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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.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Art, Promise, Volume

"De architectura". Book by Vitruvius. Book I, Chapter I, Section 17,

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Born: 81 BC
Died: 15
Occupation: Author
Cite this Page: Citation

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