"The universal principle of etymology in all languages: words are carried over from bodies and from the properties of bodies to express the things of the mind and spirit. The order of ideas must follow the order of things"

Giambattista Vico's quote talks to the concept that language is rooted in physical things and experiences. He recommends that the origin of words is discovered in the real world, and that the order of concepts need to follow the order of things. This implies that the method we think and reveal ourselves is based on the physical world around us. For instance, the word "light" is derived from the physical experience of seeing light, and the word "dark" is originated from the physical experience of remaining in a dark location. This concept of etymology is universal throughout all languages, and it is an essential principle of language. Vico's quote suggests that language is a reflection of the physical world, which the order of ideas need to follow the order of things. This is an important idea to think about when studying language, as it assists us to understand how language is formed and how it is utilized to express ideas.