It means “lack of success”

‘It’s still miles to go,’ she said. ‘I mean to do it,’ said Granny. ‘There’s plenty of night left.’ ‘Not enough, I’m thinking.’ ‘A witch doesn’t know the meaning of the word “failure”, Gytha.’ They shot up into the clear air again. The horizon was a line of golden light as the slow dawn of the Disc sped across the land, bulldozing the suburbs of the night. ‘Esme?’ said Nanny Ogg, after a while. ‘What?’ ‘It means “lack of success”.’ They flew in chilly silence for several seconds.

T. Pratchett, Wyrd sisters (1988), loc. 2,813

I often think this is the role I would play on quests. It would not be a helpful one.

I see it matters to you what his motives are but it is of no importance for me

'You and I are very different in the way we look at things,  Ashton said, 'and it has taken the advent of Kemp to make this difference clearer - I think to both of us. I see it matters to you what his motives are but it is of no importance for me. Motives are a labyrinth we need not enter. All that matters is the use that can be made of his words....'

B. Unsworth, The quality of mercy (2011), 265