I had been taught that if I cried, to be quiet about it, so whereas I never howled, the least thing made me cry both at school and at home. Crying tends to separate a child from other children, for even children dislike a cry baby, and I had no friends in the world.

In the quote by Frederick Banting, "I had been taught that if I cried, to be quiet about it, so whereas I never howled, the least thing made me cry both at school and at home. Crying tends to separate a child from other children, for even children dislike a cry baby, and I had no friends in the world," Banting reflects on his early childhood experiences with emotions and social isolation. He explains that he was taught to suppress his emotions, particularly crying, which made him feel more vulnerable and distant from others. This suppression, while aiming to encourage emotional restraint, resulted in him being emotionally affected by even minor occurrences, both at school and at home.

Banting's mention of crying separating a child from their peers highlights how social dynamics in childhood can be influenced by emotional expression. He suggests that crying was seen as a weakness, and that children who cried were often stigmatized or excluded. The idea that even other children would dislike a "cry baby" speaks to the social pressure placed on young people to conform to certain emotional standards, even at a young age.

His statement also reveals how this emotional suppression and isolation affected his ability to form friendships. Banting's sense of being alone in the world reflects the deep psychological impact of growing up in an environment where emotional vulnerability was not accepted. This lack of emotional connection contributed to his sense of loneliness, which can shape a person's emotional development and their relationships with others.

Ultimately, the quote offers a poignant insight into how childhood experiences with emotion, social expectations, and mental health can influence a person's sense of self. Banting’s reflection on crying as a source of separation from others speaks to the broader theme of emotional expression and how it’s treated within society, particularly in the context of childhood.