Ten Books on Architecture (De Architectura)

So he says, and much more: if he had compensated for the brevity of his speech with clarity, he would undoubtedly have made his work worthwhile. But, unmindful of the Horatian precept a reference to Horace's Ars Poetica: "I struggle to be brief, and I become obscure", while pursuing brevity, he plunged into obscurity. These are the things regarding his doctrine and writings. As far as his person is concerned, he was of short stature, of an appearance not very pleasing or elegant, which we have from his own words to Augustus; for he says: To me, Emperor, nature did not grant stature, age deformed my face, and ill health took away my strength. Furthermore, how long he lived, in what place he closed his final day, and where he was buried, there is no ancient writer who tells us; from which it happens that the place of his burial is as obscure as his birthplace and homeland.