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I would have, then, our ordinary dwelling-houses built to last, and built to be lovely; as rich and full of pleasantness as may be within and without: * * * with such differences as might suit and express each man's character and occupation, and partly his history.

— John Ruskin

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Architecture

More quotes by John Ruskin

Remember that the most beautiful things in the world are the most useless: peacocks and lilies, for instance.

The Stones of Venice (1853)

In painting as in eloquence, the greater your strength, the quieter your manner.

Modern Painters (1843)

Life without industry is guilt, and industry without art is brutality.

Lectures on Art (1870)

When we build, let us think that we build for ever.

The Seven Lamps of Architecture (1849)

He who has the truth at his heart need never fear the want of persuasion on his tongue.

The Stones of Venice (1853)

All John Ruskin quotes →

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The civil engineer is the real 19th century architect.

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Architects and engineers are among the most fortunate of men since they build their own monuments with public consent, public approval and often public money.

John Prebble

The sight of such a monument is like continual and stationary music, which one hears for one's good as one approaches it.

Anne Louise Germaine de Staël Corinne (1807)

Rich windows that exclude the light,
And passages that lead to nothing.

Thomas Gray

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: John Ruskin (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.