Adhering firmly to moral rules or beliefs; acting according to a code of ethics even when it's difficult.
From 'principle,' which comes from Latin 'principium' (beginning, foundation, basic rule). A person with principles has a foundation of moral rules they build their life upon, making 'principled' someone who stands on that foundation.
The most interesting thing about principled people is that their principles often cost them something—money, comfort, or popularity. History's most celebrated principled figures—from Galileo to Mandela—were imprisoned, ridiculed, or impoverished for refusing to compromise their beliefs, showing that true principles are only meaningful when they're expensive.
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