If one thinks about it, traditionally, the famous adage is still widely used. But in reality, I would say it is an exaggerated form of reality or actual requirements. Make no mistake. Working hard is a good ethic. Kudos to whoever is doing so.

However, I would say "working sincerely" is the thing to do, which may at times require "working hard". But clearly, all the affluent people in the world that we read about, couldn't be leading the lives they lead, if they were always "working hard". If that were a fact, they would have no time to have a life. At the same time, they must be doing something right in their lives, even though not really working hard, to have the lives they have. Sure enough, there are also people who just work hard all the time, but don't have time for anything else. But those are not the lives one covets or appreciates.

So, clearly "work smart" and "work sincerely" is more important than "work hard all the time". Only then, would we have time to maybe have something close to a life we desire.