I have heard this all my life (I am still very young there is a lot of life still left) from various sources...
"Intelligence is an asset, but, it is not a substitute for hard work"
This might be true...but I strongly believe that
"Hard work is not a substitute for intelligence"
Updated: My friend Vinay believes that hard work can substitute intelligence but it would require tremendous effort (like in the movie Forest Gump).
I do not agree to it. I am not saying that "Intelligence is a substitute for hard work". All I am saying is "Hard work is not a substitute for intelligence" you might keep working like a donkey if you are not intelligent.