"We may seek a fortune for no greater reason than to secure the respect and attention of people who would otherwise look straight through us"

In this quote, Alain de Botton suggests that some people may pursue wealth and success not for useful factors, but rather to acquire the admiration and recognition of others. He suggests that these individuals might feel invisible or unimportant in the eyes of society, and seek to remedy this by accumulating product ownerships and achieving social status. This desire for recognition and attention from others can be a powerful motivator, driving individuals to pursue monetary success even if it may not bring them true joy or fulfillment. De Botton's words work as a pointer to question our real motivations and to not let external validation dictate our actions.