在古代中国，孝廉是选拔人才的一种重要方式。其中，“张凭举孝廉”的故事流传甚广，不仅体现了当时社会对品德与才能并重的选才标准，也展现了个人才华如何突破家庭背景限制而获得认可的过程。以下为该故事的原文及其翻译。

原文如下：

张凭幼孤，家贫无资。尝从其母游于市，见一老者衣衫褴褛，却气宇轩昂。凭问之：“公何人也？”老者笑曰：“吾乃隐士，不求闻达。”凭敬其言辞高雅，遂拜为师。数年后，凭学问大进，且性情仁厚，邻里皆称其贤。及长，凭以孝廉被荐入朝，终成一代名臣。

翻译如下：

Zhang Ping was an orphan from a poor family with no financial resources. Once, he accompanied his mother to the market where they encountered an elderly man dressed in tattered clothes but exuding an air of dignity. Zhang asked him, "Who are you?" The old man replied with a smile, "I am a hermit who does not seek fame or fortune." Impressed by his eloquent speech, Zhang respectfully became his disciple. After several years of study, Zhang greatly improved his knowledge and was also known for his benevolence among neighbors. As he grew up, Zhang was recommended as a model of filial piety and integrity (孝廉) and entered officialdom, eventually becoming a famous minister.

此段文字通过讲述张凭的成长经历，强调了即使出身寒微，只要具备良好的品行和卓越的能力，依然能够得到社会的认可与重用。这种价值观至今仍具有积极意义，激励着后人不断努力提升自我修养与专业技能。