In all matters but particularly in architecture, that which is signified is the subject of which we may be speaking and that which gives significance is a demonstration on scientific principles. One who professes himself an architect should be well versed in both directions.

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

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

light mirrors moon

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