《武帝求茂才異等詔》是漢武帝選拔社會人才而頒布的詔書。茂才西漢稱秀才,東漢避漢光武帝劉秀之諱改稱茂才,又常稱作“茂才異等”。在西漢屬特舉科目,漢光武帝時改為歲舉。茂才的選拔之是對于有特異才能和有非常之功的低級官吏的提拔。
《漢武帝求茂才異等詔》 班固
蓋有非常之功,必待非常之人,故馬或奔踶而致千里,士或有負(fù)俗之累而立功名。夫泛駕之馬,跅弛之士,亦在御之而已。其令州郡察吏民有茂材異等可為將相及使絕國者。
Heroes Wanted!—A Proclamation
Ben Ku
Exceptional work demands exceptional men. A bolting or a kicking horse may eventually become a most valuable animal. A man who is the object of the world's detestation may live to accomplish great things. As with the untractable horse, so with the infatuated man; —it is simply a question of training.We therefore command the various district officials to search for men of brilliant and exceptional talents, to be Our generals, Our ministers, and Our envoys to distant states.