以“道”拯救、帮助天下的人。“道”指道理、道义，也可以是某种学说、思想等；“济”即救助，使人免于困苦；“天下”指世间所有的人。“道济天下”包含两层意思：其一，“道”的价值有无、大小是看它于天下人是否有益。其二，君子特别是知识分子应该将自己所主张或掌握的“道”用于天下，用于经世济民。和“经世致用”一样，“道济天下”实质代表中国传统知识分子治学立世的终极目标与人格理想，体现了中国传统知识分子追求真理、坚持真理、关注社会民生，以及“以天下为己任”的人文情怀和道德境界。

Support All People by Upholding Truth and Justice

The term means to save and help all people through upholding truth and justice. Dao here refers to truth and justice, and also to particular thought or doctrine. Ji means relieving or helping people out of difficulties or sufferings. Tianxia refers to everything under heaven, and particularly all people. Therefore, this phrase contains two meanings. First, the value of any particular dao depends on whether it serves the interests of the people. Second, people of virtue, and intellectuals in particular, should apply dao they have learned to serve the people and use the ancient classics they have studied to meet present needs. Much like the idea of "studying ancient classics to meet present needs," this notion of "supporting all people by upholding truth and justice," represents the ultimate goal and ideal character of the traditional Chinese intellectuals in their pursuit of knowledge. It also embodies the compassion and moral standards of the traditional Chinese intellectuals as they pursue and uphold truth, care about the livelihood of the people, and take upon themselves the responsibility for the world.

引例 知周乎万物，而道济天下，故不过。（《周易·系辞上》）（圣人的智慧广大，遍及万物，而他的道德又能救助天下，所以他的言行始终恰如其分。）

Sages won't make mistakes, for they have endless wisdom about everything under heaven and their virtues help all people in the world. (The Book of Changes)