The Maharal actually says your Terutz, that although it is not good you should do it anyhow. Tosafos seems to take it like it is an Aveira. Language works with context. A phrase doesn’t have to always mean the exact same thing.
In Eiruvin it is saying that due to the slim chances of coming out of this world pure, we would prefer not to take the chance. Here we are saying that you didn’t accomplish anything.
Tosafos in Eiruvin says that for Tzaddikim we don’t say it is better not to be born. So, in simple Terutz form we can day that this Gemara is saying that learning this way does not get you out of the category of Nuach Lo Shelo Haya Nivra.