Rules and Principles

Rules are many. Principles are few.

Rules accumulate. Principles are distilled.

Principles are broad. Rules are narrow.

Principles are open to interpretation. Rules are precise and unambiguous.

Rules have loopholes. Principles do not try to be watertight.

Principles are timeless. Rules change from time to time.

Principles are ubiquitious. Rules differ from place to place.

Principles come from within you. Rules come from outside.

Following a principle takes effort, persistence, and resolve.

Following a rule is effortless with repetition, practice and automation.

Two opposing rules cause a conflict. Two opposing principles form a paradox.

Live by rules or live by principles.

Which one you choose is up to you.

Or is it?