This is so true. I think of it as "inside the box" versus "outside the box" optimization. We can also think it as "nature" (the inherent logical design of the database) versus "nurture" the physical infrastructure that the database resides in and other external events that can effect it. From my experience, it's the nature or internal design of the database that imposes the greatest limits, but that's also the easiest aspect to change, so long as the DBA has the knowledge and inclination.