Are Good Qualities Proportional to Our Efforts? I mused that clearly, certain efforts are necessary for the path. But, I can easily imagine a person exerting lots of efforts towards a detrimental goal, or a person exerting a bit of effort towards a wholesome goal. So, effort in itself seems not directly related to good qualities. 

Another example is a proficient meditator for whom meditation might be easier, but more potent and pleasant; this contrasts with the beginner who struggles and must apply effort. The experienced meditator might generate more effect with less effort.

What is the relationship in Buddhism of effort to its resulting benefit? Is it indirect?

Thank you
From MN 117, we read that Right Effort (samma vayamo) must go in the right direction:


  "One tries to abandon wrong view &amp; to enter into right view: This is
  one's right effort...
  
  "One tries to abandon wrong resolve &amp; to enter into right resolve:
  This is one's right effort...
  
  "One tries to abandon wrong speech &amp; to enter into right speech: This
  is one's right effort...
  
  "One tries to abandon wrong action &amp; to enter into right action: This
  is one's right effort...
  
  "One tries to abandon wrong livelihood &amp; to enter into right
  livelihood: This is one's right effort."


Not just the right direction, but also the right amount of effort - not too much and not too little.

From AN 6.55 (a vina is an indian stringed musical instrument):


  "And what do you think: when the strings of your vina were too taut,
  was your vina in tune &amp; playable?"
  
  "No, lord."
  
  "And what do you think: when the strings of your vina were too loose,
  was your vina in tune &amp; playable?"
  
  "No, lord."
  
  "And what do you think: when the strings of your vina were neither too
  taut nor too loose, but tuned to be right on pitch, was your vina in
  tune &amp; playable?"
  
  "Yes, lord."
  
  "In the same way, Sona, over-aroused persistence leads to
  restlessness, overly slack persistence leads to laziness. Thus you
  should determine the right pitch for your persistence, attune the
  pitch of the [five] faculties [to that], and there pick up your
  theme."