Eh, there was nothing really for him to do in the Chess world. At that time period there wasn't really professional chess like there is today, he could have made a living gambling at it essentially but he would have considered that wasting his life.

Become a history teacher and open up a chess club. Organize tournaments and write books. There’s a lot he could do beyond “professional chess” as it’s known now.

There weren't really academic chess clubs around, and he became an attorney so he could have done that rather than being a history teacher. Likewise tournaments and demand for books wasn't really a thing in his lifetime.

Paul Morphy lived in the 19th century.

Reminds me of Michael Jordan abandoning basketball because he became too good at it, and realizing he wasn't that good at other sports.