Actually, I think that both are true, @tradewonk :)
The first applies to when it is necessary to wait, when things are out of our control, and we grow in patience, strength or faith through waiting.
The second refers to what is within our hands to change, when it is necessary to be active and work hard or else miss out on opportunities.
By association, I think of 2 other quotes that are appropriate, here:
"Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference."
-Niebuhr
as well as
"The opposite of a fact is falsehood, but the opposite of one profound truth may very well be another profound truth." - Niels Bohr
Have a wonderful and inspired weekend, Yahia (Egyptian poet)
PS - If you're interested, here are some motivational sayings of mine, from my forthcoming book, Where Epics Fail