John Maxwell writes 'many people think they have to choose between being ethical and _____'.

• A. Integrity
• B. Winning
• C. Success
• D. Honesty

Answer: (B)

People often think you must choose between being ethical and winning. This statement sets up a tension many athletes and leaders feel: can you compete hard and still stay on the right side of fair play?

The best answer fills the blank with winning because the contrast is about the competitive impulse versus ethics. Maxwell isn’t saying ethics and honesty or integrity are separate choices; he’s pointing out a common mindset that you can’t have both a strong desire to win and to act morally. The idea is that you can pursue victory without compromising your standards, and that true, sustainable success comes from winning in a way that’s fair and honorable. When you win ethically, you protect your reputation, maintain trust with teammates, fans, and officials, and avoid the penalties and damage that come from cutting corners.

If we tried other options, they don’t fit the intended contrast. Integrity and honesty are parts of being ethical rather than opposite to it, so they wouldn’t form a meaningful dichotomy. Success is related but broader and less specific to the competitive drive at issue; winning specifically captures the competitive aspect Maxwell is highlighting.