--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The British needlewoman follows blindly…" description: "\"The British needlewoman follows blindly where the merchant leads.\" — Ann Macbeth" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44d/ann-macbeth-22917_british_the-british-needlewoman-follows-blindly_41233.png" --- # The British needlewoman follows blindly where the merchant… ![“The British needlewoman follows blindly where the merchant leads.” quote by Ann Macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44d/ann-macbeth-22917_british_the-british-needlewoman-follows-blindly_41233.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44d/ann-macbeth-22917_british_the-british-needlewoman-follows-blindly_41233.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44d/ann-macbeth-22917_british_the-british-needlewoman-follows-blindly_41233.png) > “The British needlewoman follows blindly where the merchant leads.” [Ann Macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-macbeth/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A critique of unthinking obedience to commercial authority, warning that workers may sacrifice autonomy when they follow profit-driven directives without question. **In simple terms:** Blind compliance to profit motives Key Takeaway Question authority Themes Power dynamics Labor exploitation Consumerism Agency Conformity Mood Cautionary Reflective Critical Type Proverbial Social critique When to use this quote - Factory work - Retail employment - Gig economy - Corporate training Key Concepts Economic control Social hierarchy Individual autonomy Practical Applications - Ethical business practices - Employee empowerment programs Questions to Reflect On - How does profit influence personal choices? - What alternatives exist to blind obedience? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [British](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/british/) ## Related quotes > [I'd love to work in the States; I'd love to work anywhere where you get a good script and a good part to play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-carmichael/i-d-love-to-work-in-the-states-i-d-love-to-work-anywhere-where-you/) [Laura Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-carmichael/) > [The whole nuclear-arms-control and non-proliferation policy of the nuclear powers is a fraud: The Americans could not prevent the Soviets from replicating their weaponry,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-black/the-whole-nuclear-arms-control-and-non-proliferation-policy-of-the/) [Conrad Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-black/) > [The American Constitution declares 'All men are born equal.' The British Socialist Party add: 'All men must be kept equal'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-american-constitution-declares-all-men-are-born-equal-the-british/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [While we like to think queueing is unique to British culture, the truth is that we are mere amateurs. 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I'm so disappointed that we're not better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-brownlow/somebody-said-that-part-of-my-reaction-to-british-cinema-is-actually/) [Kevin Brownlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-brownlow/) > [I always wanted to make a 'James Bond' film, and they only seemed to hire British directors, and I'd made 'Swingers' - they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-liman/i-always-wanted-to-make-a-james-bond-film-and-they-only-seemed-to/) [Doug Liman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-liman/) > [When we first sold the Wallace and Gromit shorts to America, people suggested we get rid of the strange British accents and put clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-park/when-we-first-sold-the-wallace-and-gromit-shorts-to-america-people/) [Nick Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-park/) > [ No wonder that Churchill described this effort \[the British codebreakers working at Bletchley Park\] as "Britian"s secret weapon," a weapon far more effective than… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-hilton/no-wonder-that-churchill-described-this-effort-the-british/) [Peter Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-hilton/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [I shot for French and British Vogue. The British Vogue one featured clothes by Chloe and was shot at Highgate and the John Soane…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/i-shot-for-french-and-british-vogue-the-british-vogue-one-featured/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [There just seems to be more acceptance now of other kinds of British films, than the picture-postcard ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-roth/there-just-seems-to-be-more-acceptance-now-of-other-kinds-of-british/) [Tim Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-roth/) ## More by Ann Macbeth > [We are not yet at the point where our size, our being the drama industry, is sufficient to support full time professional crews, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-macbeth/we-are-not-yet-at-the-point-where-our-size-our-being-the-drama/) [Ann Macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-macbeth/) > [The existing documentary makers still believe that it is impossible to produce drama material in this State, otherwise they would be doing it, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-macbeth/the-existing-documentary-makers-still-believe-that-it-is-impossible/) [Ann Macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-macbeth/) > [They will open up to what I would call corporate broadcastings where the non-commercial material will have air time. There's no possibility of that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-macbeth/they-will-open-up-to-what-i-would-call-corporate-broadcastings-where/) [Ann Macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-macbeth/) > [We probably do not have a large enough industry here to ably support the independent filmmaker to move in and out. Much of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-macbeth/we-probably-do-not-have-a-large-enough-industry-here-to-ably-support/) [Ann Macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-macbeth/) > [Ten years ago I was not heavily involved in the film world but on reflection it was a boom time with the mineral boom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-macbeth/ten-years-ago-i-was-not-heavily-involved-in-the-film-world-but-on/) [Ann Macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-macbeth/) > [Film is the most expensive, highest risk industry in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-macbeth/film-is-the-most-expensive-highest-risk-industry-in-the-world/) [Ann Macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-macbeth/) > [The worst thing that you can do in terms of bringing a product up to the market is to be two days after someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-macbeth/the-worst-thing-that-you-can-do-in-terms-of-bringing-a-product-up-to/) [Ann Macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-macbeth/) > [We're under the Arts Council under the Minister for the Arts. The Minister for the Arts and the Minister for Industrial Development have great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-macbeth/we-re-under-the-arts-council-under-the-minister-for-the-arts-the/) [Ann Macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-macbeth/) > [We are here predominantly to support independent filmmakers and their needs. We are also here to assist people actually in their production, non-commercial people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-macbeth/we-are-here-predominantly-to-support-independent-filmmakers-and-their/) [Ann Macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-macbeth/) > [It will never be Hollywood, the same way people think it should be. I think it will grow and it will be healthy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-macbeth/it-will-never-be-hollywood-the-same-way-people-think-it-should-be-i/) [Ann Macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-macbeth/) > [The dichotomy between art and industry is totally dysfunctional in terms of film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-macbeth/the-dichotomy-between-art-and-industry-is-totally-dysfunctional-in/) [Ann Macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-macbeth/) > [We are the only state that does not have a State Film Corporation there to support the commercial industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-macbeth/we-are-the-only-state-that-does-not-have-a-state-film-corporation/) [Ann Macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-macbeth/) > [Most independent filmmakers in Britain and North America work for commercial crews and then have their own projects when they've got enough money saved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-macbeth/most-independent-filmmakers-in-britain-and-north-america-work-for/) [Ann Macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-macbeth/) > [In 1975 Australia was producing things like Picnic at Hanging Rock, in other words films that I would consider still some of the finest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-macbeth/in-1975-australia-was-producing-things-like-picnic-at-hanging-rock-in/) [Ann Macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-macbeth/) > [We discovered that there was a great deal of keen interest in America for the kinds of products that we thought could be produced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-macbeth/we-discovered-that-there-was-a-great-deal-of-keen-interest-in-america/) [Ann Macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-macbeth/) [Explore all 26 Ann Macbeth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-macbeth/) ## More British quotes > [I'd love to work in the States; I'd love to work anywhere where you get a good script and a good part to play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-carmichael/i-d-love-to-work-in-the-states-i-d-love-to-work-anywhere-where-you/) [Laura Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-carmichael/) > [I shot for French and British Vogue. The British Vogue one featured clothes by Chloe and was shot at Highgate and the John Soane…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/i-shot-for-french-and-british-vogue-the-british-vogue-one-featured/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [ No wonder that Churchill described this effort \[the British codebreakers working at Bletchley Park\] as "Britian"s secret weapon," a weapon far more effective than… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-hilton/no-wonder-that-churchill-described-this-effort-the-british/) [Peter Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-hilton/) > [When we first sold the Wallace and Gromit shorts to America, people suggested we get rid of the strange British accents and put clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-park/when-we-first-sold-the-wallace-and-gromit-shorts-to-america-people/) [Nick Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-park/) > [I always wanted to make a 'James Bond' film, and they only seemed to hire British directors, and I'd made 'Swingers' - they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-liman/i-always-wanted-to-make-a-james-bond-film-and-they-only-seemed-to/) [Doug Liman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-liman/) > [Somebody said that part of my reaction to British cinema is actually, paradoxically, a patriotic one. I'm so disappointed that we're not better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-brownlow/somebody-said-that-part-of-my-reaction-to-british-cinema-is-actually/) [Kevin Brownlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-brownlow/) > [All the cliches of glamorous sophistication have little appeal to me. Do I want to live the British version of 'Dynasty?' No thanks!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/all-the-cliches-of-glamorous-sophistication-have-little-appeal-to-me/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [British Forces should be in a position to give back in a ten fold measure any attack that the Germans may attempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-banting/british-forces-should-be-in-a-position-to-give-back-in-a-ten-fold/) [Frederick Banting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-banting/) > [Although I don't have anything against people from other countries, the higher the influx into England the more the British identity disappears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/although-i-don-t-have-anything-against-people-from-other-countries/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It could be my British need for discipline that makes me admire the American appetite for freedom and passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-winwood/it-could-be-my-british-need-for-discipline-that-makes-me-admire-the/) [Steve Winwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-winwood/) > [While we like to think queueing is unique to British culture, the truth is that we are mere amateurs. The old Soviet Union turned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-hartley-brewer/while-we-like-to-think-queueing-is-unique-to-british-culture-the/) [Julia Hartley-Brewer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-hartley-brewer/) > [The American Constitution declares 'All men are born equal.' The British Socialist Party add: 'All men must be kept equal'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-american-constitution-declares-all-men-are-born-equal-the-british/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [The whole nuclear-arms-control and non-proliferation policy of the nuclear powers is a fraud: The Americans could not prevent the Soviets from replicating their weaponry,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-black/the-whole-nuclear-arms-control-and-non-proliferation-policy-of-the/) [Conrad Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-black/) > [There just seems to be more acceptance now of other kinds of British films, than the picture-postcard ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-roth/there-just-seems-to-be-more-acceptance-now-of-other-kinds-of-british/) [Tim Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-roth/) [Browse all 3,149 British quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/british/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The British needlewoman follows blindly where the merchant leads.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ann Macbeth" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-macbeth/the-british-needlewoman-follows-blindly-where-the-merchant-leads/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "British" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-macbeth/the-british-needlewoman-follows-blindly-where-the-merchant-leads/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44d/ann-macbeth-22917_british_the-british-needlewoman-follows-blindly_41233.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44d/ann-macbeth-22917_british_the-british-needlewoman-follows-blindly_41233.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44d/ann-macbeth-22917_british_the-british-needlewoman-follows-blindly_41233.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The British needlewoman follows blindly where the merchant leads.” — Ann Macbeth", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ann Macbeth", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-macbeth/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The British needlewoman follows blindly where...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-macbeth/the-british-needlewoman-follows-blindly-where-the-merchant-leads/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-macbeth/the-british-needlewoman-follows-blindly-where-the-merchant-leads/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```