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They also serve who only stand and wait

  1. The last line of the poem “On His Blindness,” by John Milton. The poet reflects that he has a place in God's world despite his disability.



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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The title of “Only Stand and Wait” comes from a poem by John Milton, who laments his blindness — “my days in this dark world” — but accepts his fate and concludes “they also serve who only stand and wait.”

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I tell myself, “They also serve, who only stand and wait,” but it seems hollow to me.

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They also serve who only stand and wait, said Aunt Lydia.

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As John Milton, that other blind survivor, once noted: Though "Thousands at his bidding speed / And post o'er Land and Ocean without rest: / They also serve who only stand and wait."

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Elizabeth Bishop clarifies the famous words of her blind predecessor John Milton: “They also serve who only stand and wait.”

Read more on New York Times

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