The Analects of Confucious is one of the central books of Chinese literature and Chinese thought; memorized and studied for many centuries, it has been certainly one of the most influential books in world history. There are many translations of this rewarding but difficult work. Arthur Waley - the translator of the Tale of Genji, of a vast body of Chinese poetry, and of many other clasics of Oriental literature and thought - brings to this translation his great gifts as a scholar and a writer, and has produced what is without question the best version in English of the Analects. A full introduction gives the social and political background of this work.
