To learn Chinese culture, it is better to learn some Confucianism since it has been well integrated in Chinese culture and is the official state philosophy for over 2000 years.
1) The Analects of Confucius
"Arthur Waley 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." ISBN: 0679722963
2) Essential Confucius
Another good translation with an insightful introduction and commentary by Thomas Cleary. ISBN: 0785809031
3) Confucius Speaks : Words to Live By
"In Confucius Speaks, the teachings of the greatest sage of all time are vividly brought to life by the wonderfully endearing and humorous characters drawn by East Asia's most famous cartoonist, Tsai Chih Chung." -- Ingram. ISBN: 0385480342
4) The Analects of Confucius : A New Millennium Translation
A completely new translation of the Analects of Confucius with some 500 footnotes, translated by David Li. ISBN: 0963785281.