i always play for the win, but i also don't always give up easy spots where i can get a return on my investment if it isn't necessary.
cashing, even small cashes, and winning are both important. winning, obviously, for the glory, bragging rights, big payouts etc but how often does someone win an mtt? lets say i win 1/100 mtts i play, which i think it's pretty decent. well, unless that win is going to give me $200+, i'm not getting a lot back on my investment.
however, if i don't risk guaranteed spots to make some money, that's going to reduce my total investments. even i play a $1 mtt and min cash for $1.50, this means i basically freeroll the game and am risking nothing. if i play 100 mtts and i can freeroll in 30% of them, that's great. that, on top of other deep cashes and final table runs, i will have invested a lot less and will get a much greater roi%.
in my experience, in majority of money/bubble situations, i just make it without risking anything. it's not that i'm afraid to not cash, it's just not necessary to risk it in spots where i have marginal equity. obviously, i get it in with my big pairs, aqs, ak hands, especially when i have mid-short stack, but if that doesn't happen, i'm happy to take the money first, then switch things up.