Restrain and Refrain

re⋅straint   /rɪˈstreɪnt/ –noun 1. a restraining action or influence: freedom from restraint.
2. Sometimes, restraints. a means of or device for restraining, as a harness for the body.
3. the act of restraining, holding back, controlling, or checking.
4. the state or fact of being restrained; deprivation of liberty; confinement.
5. constraint or reserve in feelings, behavior, etc.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

re⋅frain1   /rɪˈfreɪn/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [ri-freyn] Show IPA
–verb (used without object) 1. to abstain from an impulse to say or do something (often fol. by from): I refrained from telling him what I thought.

–verb (used with object) 2. Archaic. to curb.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Well quite related words but I think the two have a basic difference: Former being an external force and latter pointing to the internal force. Its by force and by choice thing. Ppl want to do so many things as soon as they get a chance - at the first available option. Ppl want to be liberated, throw away any shackles but are restrained by the society, the family, the religion and what not. But give them the chance and take away the conscience and they will do it.

Some ppl understand the reasons and refrain from a number of stuffs because they want to do things which they believe in. Ppl may ask how can they believe that what they are not doing is not right because they haven't experienced it and one should not believe on others words. But if one really wants to understand things, I believe it doesn't require the hands on experience always.

There is another group which refrains from stuffs because it is their in their brains...it has been stuffed down without any analysis.