PG not only actually invests in people, but is also willing to overlook his own criteria when he finds people he believes in. It's one of the things that really sets him apart.
Somehow the word 'rules' is more constraining, 'guidelines' seem more apt.
But consistency with no regards to the outcome or circumstances, thats plain crock!
If one were to make a list of all scenarios where a one line rule has exceptions, one would have long documents like 'Terms and conditions' instead of easy to comprehend one line rules that would provide reasonable guidance in a majority of situations.
Thats why it is good to apply a bit of wisdom in applying a rule/advice to a scenario and see if that rule applies to that situation or not, irrespective of from whom that advice comes from and not follow them blindly.