They also serve who only stand and wait

Cultural  

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

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.”

From Seattle Times

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

From Nature

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."

From Los Angeles Times

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

From New York Times

They also serve who only stand and wait: Katniss—fighter, survivor, rebel—has become a part of the system.

From The New Yorker