The real sting here is Einstein's reversal of cause and effect—most of us assume that being valuable *leads* to success, but he's suggesting the relationship works backwards, and that chasing success can actually make us less valuable. A surgeon obsessed with becoming the most celebrated in her field might rush consultations and miss crucial diagnoses, while one focused on genuinely helping each patient tends to earn both respect and recognition as a byproduct. The quote cuts against our competitive grain because it asks us to abandon the scorekeeping altogether, trusting that integrity and usefulness are their own reward, not stepping stones to something better.