[The key to] life is not accumulation, it is about contribution.

Covey contrasts two measures of a “successful” life: accumulating possessions, status, or achievements versus contributing value to others. In his broader work on principle-centered living, he argues that lasting fulfillment comes from aligning daily choices with enduring principles—service, integrity, and responsibility—rather than with short-term rewards. The quote reframes purpose as outward-facing: meaning is found in what one gives (help, leadership, love, improvement) rather than what one gets. It also implies a moral critique of consumerist or ego-driven definitions of success, urging readers to evaluate their legacy by impact and relationships, not by inventory.