Now they [those who kept competing] are occupying space more deserving people could have been. Um, how are people who give up earlier more deserving? My read

Now they [those who kept competing] are occupying space more deserving people could have been. Um, how are people who give up earlier more deserving? My read (could be wrong) of what you wrote is that you may value potential/innate talent more than achievement/work. Which you are, of course, free to do. Personally, I value achievement/work over potential/innate talent.