If you have taken enough VC that the only way to get any value at all is through a huge exit, this statement is true. If you run a normal business, it is not true :)
No, I'm talking about companies that didn't even get to take VC funding in some cases. Building a stable business doesn't mean you get rich. The world is filled with middle class folk running stable businesses.
When they said "this statement" I think they meant the statement you were talking about not the statement that you made.
That once you've taken on enough funding, your options are get rich or die. Not that if you build a non-vc stable business your options are get rich or die.