> I suppose you can find people who started a business, made it big, said "OK, I have enough," and then retired to a contented family life.

Actually there are many such people. I know plenty around here. You just don't hear about them because...instead they're living a contented family life.

> Maybe they poured their energy into passing it on to the next generation.

Yuck. Hope not. Let the next generation make their own mistakes and achievements.