The sage in our age

"It's a bit of a crossover product, catering both to the needs of younger readers in China, as well as foreign readers with strong interest in learning the basics of Chinese culture and beliefs. It is also detailed and handy enough for Chinese-language learners," says Cao Yun, the book's editor from Foreign Languages Press.

"It's like three or four books combined into one."

Cao says good translation is key. She believes British translator Paul White, with his 30 years of experience working in China and dealing with classical Chinese texts, has done a great job.

One of White's major aims is to present a new translation of The Analects that is both accurate and expressed in modern English to promote Chinese culture across national and cultural boundaries.

"The previous translations of The Analects into English by scholars such as Legge and Waley were accurate enough but were done a century ago. Besides, they were aimed at other scholars, not at the general public. So the language is old-fashioned, pedantic and unappealing to modern readers," White says.

"The other reason (for doing the book) was my realization that there is a wealth of wisdom in the Chinese classics as of yet undiscovered by foreign readers."

He was pleased to note that his longtime friend, Hu Min, CEO of New Channel International Education Group, who planned the publication of the book, says it will be the first of a series of Chinese classics, including Sun Tzu's The Art of War, to be produced along similar lines.