Discipline is the self-control that is gained by requiring that rules or orders be obeyed, and the ability to keep working at something that is difficult. Disciplinarians believe that such self-control is of the utmost importance and enforce a set of rules that aim to develop such behavior. Such enforcement is sometimes based on punishment, although there’s a big difference between the two. One way to convey such differences is through the root meaning of each word: discipline means “to teach,” while punishment means “to correct or cause pain.” While punishment might extinguish unwanted behavior in the moment, it is rarely effective long-term, while discipline usually is.