Rules vs Principles

Thank you to Hello Kosmos, who brings this quote:

Rules are not necessarily sacred, principles are.

Franklin D. Roosevelt provides these words of wisdom, among many others.

Rules come from without.  They are defined by society, and define what everybody else thinks is right.

Principles come from within.  They are defined by you, and define what you think is right.

As you travel, you will come to different societies and cultures.  The rules will change, sometimes quickly.  You are not in control of these changes, and can only accept them (or not) as they occur.  Your principles, on the other hand, are fully within your control.  They may change, but slowly and deliberately, as you experience life.  Just as you change, your principles may change, but just as you will not change overnight neither should your principles.

Be true to yourself.  Be true to your principles.  Remember how important they truly are.