Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

“Water is the most essential of all things for life, for delight, and for our daily use.”

“All machinery is derived from nature, and is founded on the teaching and imitation of the revolution of the universe.”

“The planning of temples depends upon symmetry: and the method of this architects must diligently apprehend.”

“Nature has so planned the human body that the face from the chin to the top of the forehead and the roots of the hair is a tenth part.”

“Symmetry is a proper agreement between the members of the work itself, and relation between the different parts and the whole general scheme.”

“A building should have three qualities: firmness, commodity, and delight.”

“For in all matters, but particularly in architecture, there are these two points: the thing signified, and that which gives it significance.”

“No work can be rightly done without honesty and incorruptibility.”

“Architecture is a science arising out of many other sciences, and adorned with much and varied learning.”

“These are the principles of architecture: Order, arrangement, eurythmy, symmetry, propriety, and economy.”

“Economy denotes the proper management of materials and of site, as well as a thrifty balancing of cost and common sense in the construction of works.”

“I think that men have no right to profess themselves architects hastily, without having climbed from boyhood the steps of these studies.”

“Philosophy, moreover, makes an architect high-minded and not arrogant, but rather lenient, just, and honest, without avarice.”

“Propriety is that perfection of style which comes when a work is authoritatively constructed on approved principles.”

“The architect should be equipped with knowledge of many branches of study and varied kinds of learning.”

“A harmonious design requires that nothing be added or taken away.”

“It is not the books that make the artist, but the work.”

“Music, also, the architect ought to understand so that he may have knowledge of the canonical and mathematical theory.”

“The deliberations of architects are of such a nature that they not only are of use to the rich, but also to the poor.”

“For that which is hateful is quickly destroyed by the popular will.”