A famous fairytale in which the emporer is shown a new fabric so rare and refined only those of a noble and sensitive disposition can perceive it - it appearing invisible to other, baser beings such as the common people. Not wishing to appear so unrefined the Emporer pretends to appreciate its wondrous texture and colours, upon which all the courtiers around him, also not wishing to appear as unrefined as the common people also join in its praise.

As the fear of revealing oneself to be uncouth and unable to perceive the marvellous fabric spreads, down the social scale, the emporer is persuaded to purchase at great expense a whole suit made of this marvellous stuff, which he and his chief ministers then proceed to wear out on a grand public parade. The whole population join in the hysteria, denying the evidence of their own senses, until one child speaks out, proclaiming that the emporer is indeed - stark naked!

The moral (or one of them!) being the lengths to which we will deny our own senses to agree with the common consensus, to fit in, not rock the boat and avoid appearing to be different or inferior.
Another being the mystique of power, credibility not being imposed by the naked (i.e. the same as you or me), but granted by the consent of the ruled.