It is no secret that the moon has no light of her own, but is, as it were, a mirror, receiving brightness from the influence of the sun. Marcus Vitruvius Pollio More Quotes by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio More Quotes From Marcus Vitruvius Pollio Architects should 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 Marcus Vitruvius Pollio medicine attention heaven Architecture depends on Order, Arrangement, Eurythmy, Symmetry , Propriety , and Economy. Marcus Vitruvius Pollio economy architecture order Architect's designs must refer to the unquestionable perfection of the body's symmetry and proportions. If a building is to create a sense of eurythmia, it is essential that it mirrors these natural laws of harmony and beauty Marcus Vitruvius Pollio mirrors perfection law The architect must not only understand drawing, but music. Marcus Vitruvius Pollio architect drawing architecture 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. Marcus Vitruvius Pollio dimensions taste appearance 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. Marcus Vitruvius Pollio design house country 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 A harmonious design requires that nothing be added or taken away. Marcus Vitruvius Pollio design taken inspirational The [engineer] should be equipped with knowledge of many branches of study and varied kinds of learning, for it is by his judgement that all work done by the other arts is put to test. This knowledge is the child of practice and theory. Marcus Vitruvius Pollio practice children art Nothing requires the architect's care more than the due proportions of buildings. Marcus Vitruvius Pollio building architecture careers Consistency is found in that work whose whole and detail are suitable to the occasion. It arises from circumstance, custom, and nature. Marcus Vitruvius Pollio consistency details found For not all things are practicable on identical principles Marcus Vitruvius Pollio identical principles all-things An architect ought to be an educated man so as to leave a more lasting remembrance in his treatises. Marcus Vitruvius Pollio architect remembrance men For we must not build temples according to the same rules to all gods alike, since the performance of the sacred rites varies with the various gods. Marcus Vitruvius Pollio rite temples sacred A liberal education forms a single body. Those, therefore, who from tender years receive instruction in the various forms of learning, recognize the same stamp on all the arts, and an intercourse between all studies, and so they more readily comprehend them all. Marcus Vitruvius Pollio body years art Bricks should be made in Spring or Autumn so that they may dry uniformly. Marcus Vitruvius Pollio autumn dry spring 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 two years 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 musical greek latin There will be no propriety in the spectacle of an elegant interior approached by a low mean entrance. Marcus Vitruvius Pollio entrances lows mean 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 east sacrifice looks
