大道之行也,天下为(wéi)公。选贤与能,讲信修睦。故人不独亲其亲,不独子其子,使老有所终,壮有所用,幼有所长,矜寡孤独废疾者,皆有所养 …… 是谓大同。
(《礼记·礼运》)
(大道实行的时代,天下为百姓所共有,品德高尚、才能突出的人被选拔出来管理社会,人与人之间讲究诚实与和睦。所以人们不仅仅爱自己的双亲,不仅仅抚养自己的子女,而是使老年人都能终其天年,壮年人都有用武之地,幼童都能得到抚育,无妻或丧妻的年老男子、无夫或丧夫的年老女子、丧父的儿童、无子女的老人以及残障者都能得到照顾和供养……这就叫做大同社会。)
When the Great Way prevails, the world belongs to all the people. People of virtue and competence are chosen to govern the country;honesty is valued and people live in harmony. People not only love their parents, bring up their children, but also take care of the aged. The middle-aged are able to put their talents and abilities to best use, children are well nurtured, and old widows and widowers, unmarried old people, orphans, childless old people, and the disabled are all provided for… This is universal harmony.
(The Book of Rites)