gilbuvarkey.
The full line from Sophocles helps explain this:
“I would prefer even to fail with honor than to win by cheating”
or alternatively:
"Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud."
He is saying that he would rather act honourably and honestly while trying to achieve something, even if he fails – than to act dishonestly and succeed.
not a teacher
ps: sorry about the repeat, I'll leave it up for the Sophocles bit.