The winter oak... is very useful in buildings but when in a moist place it takes in water to its centre... and so it rots. The Turkey oak and the beech both... take in moisture to their centre and soon decay. White and black poplar, as well as willow, linden, and the agnus castus... are of great service from their stiffness... they are a convenient material to use in carving.

When the juices of trees have no means of escape, they clot and rot in them, making the trees hollow and good for nothing.

Since, therefore, individuals as well as the public are so indebted to these writers for the benefits they enjoy, I think them not only entitled to the honour of palms and crowns, but even to be numbered among the gods.

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

Cold winds are disagreeable, hot winds enervating, moist winds unhealthy.

From food and water, then, we may learn whether sites are naturally unhealthy or healthy.

For not all things are practicable on identical principles