i think the quote is commenting on the fact that a person who doesn't put in effort or doesn't care much about knowledge and learning doesn't automatically make then better then someone who can't (for example, learning disability, poverty, or any cause preventing them from learning). As well, it touches on the fact that sometimes people who were born smart an exceeding in academics who then end up feeling the need to not study or try hard enough to keep up are no more gifted then those who aren't as naturally gifted. In the end, the only way to succeed is to spend time on when your figuratively trying to learn or reaching out for help if you need it in order to complete a task.
