No, the described dichotomy doesn't exist (at least for me). There is more options to failing than a) not working hard or b) being stupid (to use the example from the article). There is c) my mood, d) the circumstances, e) luck , ... and all combinations of them. I don't need the option of "I did not work hard" to preserve self worth. I avoid working hard because it's ... hard, not to justify failure later.