"No human being, however great, or powerful, was ever so free as a fish"

John Ruskin's quote is a reminder of the flexibility that fish have in comparison to humans. He is recommending that no matter how effective or terrific a human being might be, they will never ever have the exact same level of freedom as a fish. This is because fish are not bound by the exact same social and cultural constraints that humans are. They are not restricted by the very same laws, rules, and guidelines that humans need to abide by. They are likewise exempt to the same physical constraints that human beings are, such as gravity and the requirement for air. Fish are able to move easily in the water, check out the depths of the ocean, and experience a level of freedom that humans can just imagine. This quote acts as a tip of the appeal and flexibility that fish have, and motivates us to appreciate the flexibility that we have, even if it is not as great as that of a fish.