Seeking approval from others

Matters do not stand so well with mankind that the majority should prefer the better course: the more people do a thing the worse it is likely to be. Let us therefore inquire, not what is most commonly done, but what is best for us to do, and what will establish us in the possession of undying happiness, not what is approved.

On the happy life by Seneca 

Following the herd quote

It is harmful to follow the march of those who go before us, and since everyone had rather believe another than form his own opinion, we never pass a deliberate judgment upon life, but some traditional error always entangles us and brings us to ruin, and we perish because we follow other men`s examples: we should be cured of this if we were to disengage ourselves from the herd; but as it is, the mob is ready to fight against reason in defense of its own mistake.

On the happy life by Seneca  

power of public opinion

The pressure of public opinion can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. 

The adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

power of public opinion