Note the difference

Note the failure of individuals to distinguish between what they have a right to do from what it is right to do. Politicians have shown themselves adept at claiming their actions are within the rules and disregarding the ethical consideration of what it is right to do, particularly when it comes to invoicing the public purse for expenses.

The issue is one of distinguishing rules from principles.  In following rules it is possible to fail to appreciate underlying principles.  The ethical principle may well cast a wider net than encompassed by the rules.  The danger is that a literal interpretation of rules may ignore the principles behind them.

In the synoptic gospels the Pharisees are noted for applying the law whereas Jesus is attributed with drawing out the ethical basis undergirding the rules.  

Rules may be contained in legislation, but wherever they come from it is likely they are attributable to a source.  The source of ethical principles may be harder to define, indeed in a multi-cultural society, or one ridden with class, racial or sexual  discrimination, there is likely to be a plurality of ethical beliefs competing with each other. Rules may be imposed in an attempt to secure adherence to a particular set of ethical beliefs and thereby lead to conflict within society.