從《尚書》已可見禹繼承堯、舜以來傳賢的概念，提出“民惟邦本，本固邦寧”的政治概念，正式開啓民本思想之先聲，也成爲後代施政規劃所取法的核心。《周禮》即借用《尚書．洪範》“建用皇極”的概念，在“惟王建國，辨方正位，體國經野，設官分職，以爲民極”的全書宗旨中，將“以爲民極”的民本概念視爲施政者努力開創全民福祉的核心。由於以民爲本的思想，主要藉由養民、教民、治民三大方面體現之，因而本文再分别從此三大方面體現其所開展的民本思想。最後，總結《周禮》以發展民生經濟奠定王朝的根基，再以德禮之教締造講求道德的社會團體，並以“五刑”輔助治理邦國，共同促成理想社會的達成。

Chinese people-oriented thought originated with the abdication stories of Yao(堯), Shun(舜)and Yu(禹). The political concept that “people are the basis of the state and the state will be tranquil if the basis is firm” in Shangshu (尚書, The Book of Ancient Documents), evolved into the central policy of s government of ancient China. Taking the concept of Jianyonghuangji (建用皇極) from Hongfan(洪範) in The Book of Ancient Documents, Zhouli developed the idea of Yiweiminji which meant that the rulers should devote themselves to the welfare of all people. This paper will shed light on people-oriented thought through the three main aspects of Yiweiminji in Zhouli: nurturing the people, educating the people and governing the people. According to these ideas, rulers should make the livelihood and benefit of all people as the foundation of the state, should improve moral standards by the teachings of virtue and rituals, and promote social order through Wuxing (五刑, five punishments) to create an ideal society.