There is always a certain peace in being what one is, in being

The words of Ugo Betti — “There is always a certain peace in being what one is, in being that completely.” — are like a flame that burns with gentle steadiness, neither wavering nor consumed by the winds of pretense. They remind us that the soul finds its deepest rest not in striving to be what it is not, nor in donning masks for the approval of others, but in embracing its own true form. To be wholly oneself, without fracture, without disguise, is to walk the earth in harmony with both nature and destiny.

So many live their lives in the torment of division. They act as one person in the company of friends, another before the gaze of society, and yet another in the silence of their own hearts. This conflict breeds unease, for the spirit is torn between the desire for acceptance and the longing for authenticity. Betti’s words speak of the peace that arrives when such division ends, when the self no longer struggles against itself, but stands firm in unity. The one who dares to “be that completely” no longer fears the judgment of others, for he has reconciled with the truth of his own being.

The ancients, too, taught this wisdom. Socrates declared that the unexamined life was not worth living, urging all men to know themselves. To know oneself was the beginning, but to be oneself was the fulfillment. Socrates, facing death, refused to renounce his truth even when threatened by the Athenian court. He drank the hemlock not as a victim, but as one who remained utterly whole — choosing to be what he was, and being it completely, even to the final breath. In that act, he found a peace that even death could not disturb.

History gives us many other examples. Consider Abraham Lincoln, who, though pressured by both allies and enemies during the turmoil of the American Civil War, remained steadfast in his convictions against slavery. He could have chosen the easier path of compromise, seeking applause or quick resolution. But his peace lay in embracing the fullness of his identity as a man of conscience. His life was heavy with sorrow, yet he was anchored, for he had chosen to be wholly true to what he believed was just.

There is also quiet heroism in the ordinary man or woman who learns to live this way. A craftsman who pours his soul into his work without imitating others, a mother who raises her children with authenticity rather than comparison, an artist who paints not for praise but for truth — these, too, embody Betti’s teaching. They may not be celebrated, yet their hearts are at rest, for they are undivided. To live “that completely” is to live in strength, for there is no weakness in a soul at peace with itself.

The lesson for the generations is clear: seek not perfection in the eyes of others, but wholeness in your own soul. The world will ever try to mold you into shapes that do not fit, but you will never find peace there. Only when you embrace your true form — your gifts, your flaws, your calling — will you stand firm and free. It is better to be wholly yourself, even if misunderstood, than to be praised for what you are not.

In practice, let each listener cultivate authenticity. Spend time in silence, listening to your heart’s true voice. Notice when you act from fear of others’ judgment, and turn instead toward the courage of truth. Surround yourself with those who honor the real you, not the mask you wear. And above all, live with integrity, so that your thoughts, your words, and your actions align. In such unity, you will find the “certain peace” of which Betti speaks — a peace unshaken by the shifting winds of the world.

Thus, the saying of Ugo Betti rises into eternal counsel: to live divided is to live restless, but to live completely as yourself is to dwell in freedom. Be what you are, and be it fully. In that wholeness, you will discover not only peace, but the strength to walk the earth with dignity, courage, and joy.