In a way that is thoughtful for the website owner but you are actually cheating the advertiser who has to pay for that click
Same here. Sure you're giving the publisher money but you're basically stealing money from the advertiser.
If the ad really looks interesting to you (like glendowney said) it isn't stealing money from the advertiser at all. The advertiser is willing to pay per click for interested users. Ofcourse the ad can look interesting but the actual product/service on the landingpage can turn out to be less interesting, but that's still not "stealing money" from the advertiser... it's just how advertising has always worked (even before internet existed). However, clicking ads that do not interest you or clicking ads just to support the publisher DO hurt advertisers.
I never click on ads because I don't want any problems from google. I know that sounds stupid but the way I see it is, don't ask for trouble, better be safe than sorry.
I tend to do this also When on a site, if its good and i like it, I look at the ads. If anything is interesting i give it a click. Its not against the rules. Its just i dont bother looking at ads on rubbish sites. I auto-ignore them.
I have also click on the adds,if it will be helpful for me.. Some times also for the same thinking too..