Can someone help me and explain what this passage is saying? It's from Ch 20 "Joseph in Egypt" page 214:

The desire to gain the favor of the Egyptians could not cause him to conceal his principles. Had he attempted to do this, he would have been overcome by temptation; but he was not ashamed of the religion of his fathers, and he made no effort to hide the fact that he was a worshiper of Jehovah. EGW

Tell me if I have it right. Joseph had the desire to gain the favor of the Egyptians, but this desire did not overwhelm him to the point that he would hide his principles. So what about the next sentence where it says "Had he attempted to do this"...attempt to do what? Conceal his principles? Is that what would have lead him to be overcome by temptation?

Yes, Sid, I think you have it.