To a certain extent, benefiting yourself helps others as well. For example, when I am depressed about the world, it depresses those around me more. Now of course depression could help point out problems in the world without the ego and therefore can be valuable and altruistic at times - however it does very little to solve them.
In other words, it is probably better to value your self-contentedness and peace in the world of importance and significance. Even if it seems irrational at times, positive reinforcement is better in the long term.
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