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Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio Quotes

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Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, a renowned Roman architect, engineer, and writer, lived from 81 BC to 15 AD. He is considered one of the founders of Roman architecture and is best known for his work 'De Architectura', which has had a profound impact on the development of architecture throughout history.

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Famous Marcus Vitruvius Pollio Quotes

“The architect must not only understand drawing, but music.”

Architecture Drawing Architect

Author:Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

“Music, also, the architect ought to understand so that he may have knowledge of the canonical and mathematical theory, and besides be able to tune ballistae , catapultae, and scorpiones to the proper key. For to the right and left in the beams are the holes in the frames through which the strings of twisted sinew are stretched by means of windlasses and bars, and these strings must not be clamped and made fast until they give the same correct note to the ear of the skilled workman.”

Giving May Mean Made Able Left Theory Keys Ought Ears Notes Bars Holes Mathematical Tunes Strings Architect Twisted Beam Workmen

Author:Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

“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.”

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

Principles Design Depends Temples Architect Symmetry

Author:Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

“An architect ought to be an educated man so as to leave a more lasting remembrance in his treatises.”

Men Ought Educated Lasting Architect Remembrance Educated Man

Author:Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

“In fact, all kinds of men, and not merely architects, can recognize a good piece of work.”

Men Kind Facts Pieces All Kinds Architect

Author:Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

“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.”

Important Self Done Philosophy Honest Honesty Assuming Architect Courteous

Author:Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

“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.”

Giving Should Wells May Matter Principles Subjects Architecture Significance Architect Demonstration

Author:Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

“Thus by such victory, not by machines but in oppositions to the principle to the principles of machines, has the freedom of states been preserved by the cunning of architects.”

States Principles Victory Machines Opposition Architect Cunning

Author:Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

“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”

Ifs Body Law Natural Design Building Essentials Perfection Harmony Mirrors Proportion Architect Natural Law Symmetry

Author: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”

Knows Should Heaven Attention Opinion Theory Medicine Philosopher Astronomy Educated Architect Pencils Geometry Skillful Jurists

Author:Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

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

Care Careers Building Dues Architecture Proportion Architect Hairstyles

Book:The Architecture of M. Vitruvius Pollio in Ten Books, Translated from the Latin by J. Gwilt

Source: The Architecture of M. Vitruvius Pollio in Ten Books, Translated from the Latin by J. Gwilt

About the Author

Born: 81 BC
Died: 15
Known for: Author
Quotes: 105

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