Emerson's Self Reliance

The maxim, "Nothing is at last sacred, but the integrity of your own mind," found in Emerson's essay on
Self Reliance relates to the truth in which one believes in. Emerson pleads with one to follow what one's own belief is, though there are many scholars and religions for one to follow, it is one's own integrity of mind, what one finds to be correct which is the truth. Emerson suggests that it is easy for a man to follow the advice and suggestions of another, thus making him a conformist. By implying this, Emerson asks one to follow his own convictions and thoughts rather than those of others because these are what we hold to be true and therefore are what we regard to be "sacred." Although Emerson was the writer, it was Thoreau who went out

Upon being disrespected by Henry's students, Deacon Ball demands that Henry "flog" his students "for showing irreverence to authority." Upon hearing this, Henry states that he does "not believe in corporal punishment," but out of fear for losing his job he flogs his students. His actions weigh down on his conscience because they have gone against the integrity of his mind, ultimately leading him to resign his position as a teacher (21-23). Emerson's maxim implies that although one's actions may go against one's convictions, it is the integrity of one's mind that causes guilt and this guilt will remain until the action is atoned for. Thus in the end it is the integrity of one's own mind which is sacred.
Emerson wrote an essay on Self Reliance, and it is from this essay that the maxim, "nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind" derives from. This maxim implies that Emerson is asking one to follow his own beliefs and convictions. In the play, Thoreau applies this, and once he goes against the integrity of his own mind, he is consumed with guilt. This shows that though one may do otherwise, the integrity of his own mind is what is at last