"i" before "e" except after "c"

Is this rule, or just a guideline?

"i" before "e" except after "c", except when said "ay" as in "neighbor" and "weigh".

...or the 'ee' in "weird"

I before E, except after C, providing it rhymes with B.

Of course, it doesn't work in all cases. One exception would be 'species'.

<I before E, except after C, providing it rhymes with B.

Of course, it doesn't work in all cases. One exception would be 'species'. >

So, what's the rule?

There aren't really any 'rules' in English spelling, lol.

But 'I before E, except after C, providing it rhymes with B' works in most cases.