Final answer:
Emerson's aphorism 'Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind' from 'Self-Reliance' is a call for individual integrity and belief in one's own thoughts, serving as a cornerstone of his philosophy of self-reliance and nonconformity.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Ralph Waldo Emerson states, "Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind," in his aphorism from "Self-Reliance," he is emphasizing the paramount importance of staying true to one's own thoughts and beliefs, even in the face of societal pressures. This statement encapsulates the essence of his philosophical stance on individualism and self-reliance, wherein he appeals to his readers to resist conformity and to trust their own judgment and moral compass above all external authority. Emerson, holding firm to the belief that each person's mind is where the ultimate truths and guiding principles reside, highlights integrity as the only sacred element that should remain inviolable against external influences or the opinions of the majority.