Vitruvius
Author of De Architectura, foundation of Western architecture
Most quoted
"Therefore, since this art is such a one, and so rich in the number of its studies, I think that men have no right to profess themselves architects unless they have climbed with the greatest diligence from boyhood up the steps of all these studies, and, having been nourished by the knowledge of many arts and sciences, have reached the highest temple of architecture."
— from De Architectura, Book I, Chapter 1, Section 12
"The architect should be a man of good education, a skilful draughtsman, versed in geometry and optics, expert at figures, acquainted with history, informed on the principles of natural and moral philosophy, able to play and understand music, having some knowledge of medicine, knowing the opinions of the jurists, and of astronomy and the rules of the heavens."
— from De Architectura, Book I, Chapter I, Section 3
"The architect must be a man of letters, a skillful draughtsman, versed in geometry and optics, expert at figures, acquainted with history, and diligent in the study of philosophy; he must understand music, have some knowledge of medicine, know the opinions of lawyers, and be acquainted with astronomy and the theory of the heavens."
— from De Architectura, Book I, Chapter 1
All quotes by Vitruvius (367)
For if a work is to be well executed, it must be done with the greatest care and attention.
The site chosen for public buildings should be healthy.
Without symmetry and proportion there can be no principles in the design of any temple; that is, if there is no precise relation between its members, as in the case of a well-shaped man.
The architect must be a man of integrity, not covetous, but faithful in his work.
The principles of architecture are order, arrangement, eurythmy, symmetry, propriety, and economy.
For it is not by the force of the body, but by the excellence of the mind, that great things are achieved.
The architect should know the laws of nature, and the properties of materials.
The architect should be a good writer, so that he may be able to commit to writing the results of his experience.
The architect should be a man of learning, and skilled in drawing, and a geometrician, and know much history, and have followed the philosophers with attention, and understand music, and have some knowledge of medicine, and know the opinions of the lawyers, and be acquainted with astronomy and the theory of the heavens.
The architect should be a man of integrity, not covetous, but faithful in his work.
Without symmetry and proportion no temple can have a regular plan; that is, it must have an exact proportion worked out after the fashion of the members of a finely formed human body.
For without symmetry and proportion no temple can have a regular plan; that is, it must have an exact proportion worked out after the fashion of the members of a finely shaped human body.
For it is not by the abundance of materials, but by the skill of the workman, that a work is to be valued.
Some architects, trusting to their literary skill, have published treatises, but have not built; others have built, but are not able to write.
For if a man is to be an architect, he must be ingenious, and apt at learning; for neither genius without learning, nor learning without genius, can make a perfect workman.
He should be a man of letters, a skillful draughtsman, a mathematician, acquainted with historical studies, a diligent student of philosophy, acquainted with music; not ignorant of medicine, learned in the opinions of lawyers, and of astronomy and the theory of the heavens.
For what is the use of a good plan if it is not carried out with good materials?
For it is not enough to be able to build, but one must also be able to explain the reasons for what is built.
The architect must be a man of integrity; not avaricious, but faithful to his client.
For if a building is to be firm, it must be founded on a solid base.