"Success always necessitates a degree of ruthlessness. Given the choice of friendship or success, I'd probably choose success"

This quote by Sting suggests that success frequently needs a certain level of ruthlessness. It indicates that one need to be willing to make tough choices and prioritize success over other elements of life, such as friendship. This is a difficult choice to make, as it needs one to sacrifice relationships in order to achieve success. However, Sting recommends that he would select success over relationship if offered the option. This suggests that he values success and is willing to make the essential sacrifices to accomplish it. This quote is a suggestion that success frequently needs effort and dedication, and that sometimes difficult choices need to be made in order to attain it.