I think we are missing the point here..... The op is not suggesting that the hard work killed his friend.....
He is trying to impress upon the point that at the end of the day.... We must not sacrifice life's simple pleasures simply for more money..... His friend was enjoying life.... He had it all.... Which he traded..... And he got nothing in return except misery and more work..... And then he died - supposedly an unhappy man.....