《武帝求茂才异等诏》是汉武帝选拔社会人才而颁布的诏书。茂才西汉称秀才，东汉避汉光武帝刘秀之讳改称茂才，又常称作“茂才异等”。在西汉属特举科目，汉光武帝时改为岁举。茂才的选拔之是对于有特异才能和有非常之功的低级官吏的提拔。

《汉武帝求茂才异等诏》 班固

盖有非常之功，必待非常之人，故马或奔踶而致千里，士或有负俗之累而立功名。夫泛驾之马，跅弛之士，亦在御之而已。其令州郡察吏民有茂材异等可为将相及使绝国者。

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.