> Finally "hard work", it self is a vague concept that I think often misleads young people into to thinking that effort is not merely a means to an end, but the end itself.

Really hit the nail on the head. I've been struggling to put this into words. I'd add that this really has to do with our notions of justice. When we see people not working, seeming to get away with something, it hurts to see another person try really hard and fail.

There's really this cult of work for work's sake. I'd argue that hard work is inherently bad.