These prin­ciples laid down as in variable rules: that one must pay a card sharper, but need not pay a tailor; that one must never tell a lie to a man, but one may to a woman; that one must never cheat any one, but one may a husband; that one must never pardon an insult, but one may give one and so on. These principles were possibly not reasonable and not good, but they were of unfailing certainty, and so long as he adhered to them, Vronsky felt that his heart was at peace and he could hold his head up.

Summary

The quote implies that although certain principles may not be morally sound or rational, they provide a sense of certainty and inner peace to the individual who follows them. Vronsky believes in a set of rules that may be questionable - such as paying a card sharper but not a tailor, lying to one gender but not the other, cheating a husband but not others, etc. Despite their lack of reason and goodness, Vronsky finds comfort in adhering to these principles, as they give him a clear and unwavering sense of right and wrong, allowing him to maintain his self-esteem.

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