I really liked this passage, mostly because I think it's right. People crave the feeling of usefulness, of having purpose, especially in regards to serving others. I taught high school for about a decade, and the quote from Odo (not DS9 Odo) resonated with me. "It is useless work that darkens the heart." I had countless students who hated doing classwork. Wouldn't pick up a pencil, wouldn't touch a book. But if you asked them to sweep the floor so we can sit in a circle, they'll do the best sweep job you've ever seen.
The Dispossessed - and Le Guin in general - is amazing.