This is a good article.

The only reason to become "excellent" at something (unless you're a doctor) is because you yourself love doing the thing, and becoming excellent at it makes you happy. For example, writing, painting, philosophy, science, woodworking, gardening etc. You master it because the mastery is a deeply enjoyable process of growth.

Likewise wide reading, "witty" conversations etc, do it if you like to do it, if you enjoy it. I do enjoy those things. But not to be "the best" at it. It's just inherently enjoyable.