This comparison popped into my head again when i was reading some blog post about the “Rules” that the author strives to live by during a Saturday lunch. Here are some differences between Rules & Principles that I find interesting:
Rules are specific while Principles are more general yet specific enough to serve as a guideline
Rules, to a certain extent, are too specific and therefore too rigid for many folks, which sometimes unintentionally set a limit on people/things
Principles-centered folks don’t care how they do something as long as they complete it & don’t go against the principles
There are far too many Rules to follow while there should be only a handful Principles to live by
Rules are set (& therefore meant) to be broken while Principles are meant to guide & therefore will last
Society is governed by Rules while people should be Principles-centered (7 Habits of Highly Effective People)