There are subtle differences between ethics, morals and scruples. One definition of ethics is "The study of the general nature of morals and of the specific moral choices to be made by a person; moral philosophy" (www.dictionary.com). The etymology of "ethics" is a long one, traveling through Old French and Latin from the Greek "thos", which means "character". "Moral" comes from the Latin "mrlis", which means "custom". So we begin to see a distinction between character and custom -- a person's sense of right and wrong, and what is customary, or acceptable, in the community. Sometimes these coincide. The terms "ethics" and "morals" are often used interchangeably. However, what a person considers ethical may not be identical to the standard set for moral behavior in the community. TECHNICALLY this is the difference in the dictionary definitions and in the etymology. The word "scruples" is not interchangeable with ethics and morals. Scruples are the little twinges of conscience that nag us when we are considering an action that conflicts with our moral sense or code of ethics. "Qualms" is a synonym for scruples. Scruples derives from the Latin for "a small unit of measurement". You may have scruples about not telling the person walking ahead of you that they dropped a $10 bill: your ethics may be telling you that the money isn't yours because you didn't earn it, and morality may be reminding you that this person, a member of your human community, probably needs it! Source: dictionary.com

Among authors I've read from Ayn Rand to Peter Singer, it seems the words can be used interchangeably.

In marketing/business classes morals like come from within a person based on their experiences.

and scruples too?

Arnt they kind of the same? I should look that up.