This quote by Christopher Lasch suggests that success is typically more about how it appears to others than the actual accomplishments. It suggests that people are more likely to be effective if they appear effective, rather than if they actually are successful. This could be translated as a caution versus putting too much emphasis on appearances, as it recommends that success is more about how it looks than what it in fact is. It also indicates that people need to focus on their actual achievements instead of trying to appear successful. Ultimately, this quote suggests that success is more about how it appears to others than the real accomplishments, which individuals should concentrate on their actual accomplishments rather than attempting to appear effective.