grammaticality - What is the meaning of the phrase "Those who"?

While the word is missing, that phrase, and similar phrases, are usually about people. 'Who' is a relative pronoun. You use 'who' to connect someone to something, usually an action or trait. Usually to use 'who' and related words the person or people in question are not known. It is used for general statements, keeping it open to whoever it can possibly apply to.

For example an equivalent way to say that phrase would be "Heaven helps people that help themselves." It's quite obvious what we're talking about here but it doesn't sound as eloquent, which is the main reason for talking in a style that the original question uses.

Here are some examples of the usage of who in a similar manner:

• "Do you know who did this?" "No, I do not know who did this."


• "Actually she was the one who was responsible for that."


• He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.


• "To whoever took the 'L' from the motor pool sign: ha ha we are all very amused."