Gene says, "because Finny's life was ruled by inspiration and anarchy...he prized a set of rules." What is paradoxical about this statement?

The contradiction in this statement comes from the fact that Gene always played by the rules imposed on him by what Finny would consider the "anarchists." Gene followed the rules, hit the books, and thought about the recriminations noncompliance would bring. Finny lived by his rules alone, something Gene picked up from him over time.