It's called "being a law-abiding citizen". Look into it.

Most people feel fine about photocopying a page they need from a book

Depending on why they "need" it, and whether they cite appropriately, this may or may not be legal under "fair use" doctrines. How a lawbreaker may "feel" about breaking the law, however, is not an excuse for breaking the law.

If I found out that someone who worked for me in the past was using bits of code he wrote for me when applying for jobs, it wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

What if he stole from his company, but "they deserved it"? What if he killed someone, but you felt that guy "really needed killing?" What if he cheated someone who you felt deserved to be taken down a notch? Would you hire him then? If not, then you're not consistant in your support for vigilante justice.

If you would, well, it's no wonder that there are so many criminals running around. After all, well, they all "had their reasons"... -- AC