I don’t get how this follows from the quote you posted?
My interpretation is that successful people create durable, self sustaining institutions that deliver deeply meaningful benefits at scale.
I think that this interpretation is aligned with your nobler definitions. But your view of the purpose of government and religion may be more cynical than mine :)
If you want to create a country- better have a good reason, many noble people have done it, many bad people have done it.
If you want to create a religion- you're psycho (or you really are the chosen one)
Notice how Sam's definition of success increases with the probability of psychopathy.
I think he is making an allusion to Apple's culture.
There's successful companies because their product is good, there's more successful companies because they started early (and it feels like a monopoly: Google, Microsoft), and there's the most successful company that tells you what you are going to buy (Apple's culture).