Pineda, the Rules, and the Code

Yankees pitcher Pineda was ejected from the game for having pine tar on his neck, a violation of the rules. The Code says “I will play by the spirit and letter of the rules of my sport.” How do you view the rules? Is it ever okay to try to “get away with something?” Even if “others” do it?   Cal Ripken’s father told him he never wanted to see him do the “hidden ball” trick (where an infielder keeps the ball in his glove and tries to catch an unaware runner when he steps off a base), not because it was not within the rules, but because “there is no honor in winning that way.” How high a standard do you play by?