Sophocles

‘“ I would prefer even to fail with honor than win by cheating.

                                                                              -Sophocles

What it's trying to say is that he will prefer to lose without cheating. than cheating to win a competition or whatever sources. For example  if you are in a soccer game the world cup  and if you are losing you will cheat to win you are going to play dirty or you are going to buy the referee . And you win the soccer world cup but you know you cheat on that game to win and you will feel bad and ashamed of yourself. That's  if you know it’s wrong. But in the other hand you are losing and you don't cheat and you try your best you may even win or at least you will be one goal behind but you, won't be sad that you lose you will be proud because you try. Chose the right.