Vitruvius quotes

Philosophy treats of physics where a more careful knowledge is required because the problems which come under this head are numerous... So the reader of Ctesibius or Archimedes and the other writers of treatises of the same class will not be able to appreciate them unless he has been trained in these subjects by the philosophers. (Vitruvius)
The oak... has not the efficacy of the fir, nor the cypress that of the elm. View quote
Vitruvius
water from clay pipes is much more wholesome than that which is conducted through lead pipes, because lead is found to be harmful for the reason that white lead is derived from it, and this is said to be hurtful to the human system. View quote
Vitruvius
Fir: it contains a great deal of air and fire with very little moisture and the earthy, so that, as its natural properties are of the lighter class, it is not heavy. Hence, its consistence being naturally stiff, it does not easily bend under the load, and keeps its straightness when used in the framework. But it contains so much heat that it generates and encourages decay, which spoils it; and it also kindles fire quickly because of the air in its body, which is so open that it takes in fire and so gives out a great flame. View quote
Vitruvius
There are also half bricks. ...As the bricks are always laid so as to break joints, this lends strength and a not unattractive appearance to both sides of such walls. View quote
Vitruvius
nothing suffers annihilation, but at dissolution there is a change, and things fall back to the essential element in which they were before. View quote
Vitruvius
Let him [who would be an architect] 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. View quote
Vitruvius
From prescription, in the case of hypaethral edifices, open to the sky, in honor of Jupiter Lightning, the Heaven, the Sun, or the Moon: for these are gods whose semblances and manifestations we behold before our very eyes in the sky when it is cloudless and bright. View quote
Vitruvius
It was a wise and useful provision of the ancients to transmit their thoughts to posterity by recording them in treatises, so that they should not be lost, but, being developed in succeeding generations through publications in books, should gradually attain in later times, to the highest refinement of learning. View quote
Vitruvius
As regards the efficacy of the art and the theories of it, I promise and expect that in these volumes I shall undoubtedly show myself of very considerable importance not only to builders but also to all scholars. View quote
Vitruvius
There will be no propriety in the spectacle of an elegant interior approached by a low mean entrance. (Vitruvius)
Of course, we need not be surprised if artistic excellence goes unrecognized on account of being unknown; but there should be the greatest indignation when, as often, good judges are flattered by the charm of social entertainments into an approbation which is a mere a pretence. View quote
Vitruvius
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. View quote
Vitruvius
If then, at this great distance, our human vision can discern that sight, why, pray, are we to think that the divine splendor of the stars can be cast into darkness? View quote
Vitruvius
Propriety is that perfection of style which comes when a work is authoritatively constructed on approved principles. It arises from prescription, from usage, or from nature. View quote
Vitruvius
All these soft kinds [of stone] have the advantage that they can be easily worked as soon as they have been taken from the quarries. Under cover, they play their part well; but in open and exposed situations the frost and rime make them crumble, and they go to pieces. On the seacoast, too, the salt eats away and dissolves them, nor can they stand great heat either. View quote
Vitruvius
Bricks should be made in Spring or Autumn so that they may dry uniformly. View quote
Vitruvius
From food and water, then, we may learn whether sites are naturally unhealthy or healthy. View quote
Vitruvius
Pytheos made a mistake by not observing that the arts are each composed of two things, the actual work and the theory of it. One of these, the doing of the work, is proper to men trained in the individual subject, while the other the theory is common to all scholars. View quote
Vitruvius
Architecture depends on Order, Arrangement, Eurythmy, Symmetry, Propriety, and Economy. View quote
Vitruvius
Fresh pitsand, however, in spite of all its excellence in concrete structures, is not equally useful in stucco, the richness of which, when the lime and straw are mixed with such sand, will cause it to crack as it dries on account of the great strength of the mixture. But river sand, though useless in "signinum" on account of its thinness, becomes perfectly solid in stucco when thoroughly worked by means of polishing instruments. (Vitruvius)
The design of a temple depends on symmetry, the principles of which must be most carefully observed by the architect. View quote
Vitruvius
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. View quote
Vitruvius
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. View quote
Vitruvius
Cold winds are disagreeable, hot winds enervating, moist winds unhealthy. View quote
Vitruvius