For most Westerners,Confucius(551-491 B.C.) is synonymous with China.Chinese also feel much the same-generally viewing the philosopher as ancient China’s foremost thinker due to his immeasurable impact on the Chinese culture.The thinking of Confucius-especially his emphasis on harmonious filial and social relationships-is probably best known through The Analects,a record of the sage’s wisdom compiled after his death.This classic has been translated extensively into all the world’s major languages.In March this year,the Beijing-based Foreign Languages Press published a new English edition of The Analects.Lin Wusun,a celebrated translator and leading scholar of comparative philosophy,translated the new version.Recently,Lin sat down with Beijing Review reporter Zan Jifang to discuss his rendering of this classic. For most Westerners, Confucius (551-491 BC) is synonymous with China.Chinese also feel much the same-generally viewing the philosopher as ancient China’s foremost thinker due to his immeasurable impact on the Chinese culture. The thinking of Confucius-particularly his emphasis on harmonious filial and social relationships-is probably best known by The Analects, a record of the sage’s wisdom compiled after his death. This classic has been translated extensively into the world’s major languages. In March this year, the Beijing-based Foreign Languages Press published a new English edition of The Analects. Lin Wusun, a celebrated translator and leading scholar of comparative philosophy, translated the new version. Century, Lin sat down with Beijing Review reporter Zan Jifang to discuss his rendering of this classic.