Nothing requires the architect's care more than the due proportions of buildings. Vitruvius More Quotes by Vitruvius More Quotes From Vitruvius 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 result learning architecture science 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 being good appearance beauty Consistency is found in that work whose whole and detail are suitable to the occasion. It arises from circumstance, custom, and nature. Vitruvius detail consistency nature work Marble is not alike in all countries. Vitruvius alike countries marble 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 will space eye science 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 buildings care light country 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 words harmony language science 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 cold situation hot Music assists him in the use of harmonic and mathematical proportion. Vitruvius him mathematical music use 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 virtues lose balance water 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 right face left enemy 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 walls roads ground easy The thickness of the walls should be sufficient for two armed men to pass each other with ease. Vitruvius walls pass men two Wind is a floating wave of air, whose undulation continually varies. Vitruvius wave floating air wind 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 name think reputation work 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 well only think enjoy 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 he shadow able 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 memory man learning science Dimension regulated the general scale of the work, so that the parts may all tell and be effective. Vitruvius general tell work may 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 result harmony height building
