This article covers the problem of interpreting Confucius (551–479) as a Sage during the period from 1950s to the end of the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976). Sagacity has become an inherent part of Confucius’ image since the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), but it is still studied insufficiently in terms of estimates and interpretations given to it in the 20th century, what defined the research focus of this paper. Chronological framework covers the period when the main ideological campaigns in the field of culture were held in the People’s Republic of China, followed by strengthening control over the philosophical thought. The main research methods were: a historical analysis of how the traditional features of Confucius’ image were formed, as well as a comparative and linguistic analysis of Chi-nese monographs, newspapers and magazines to identify the ways of interpreting Confucius in them. The sources for this research were the works of famous scholars of Chinese history and philos-ophy Yang Yong-guo (1907–1978) and Feng You-lan (1895–1990), published in the PRC between 1950s and 1970s, as well as the most widespread Chinese newspapers and magazines published dur-ing the Cultural Revolution. The article discusses the changes of the interpretations given to Confu-cius' image and ideas in the PRC, in addition to the specifics of criticizing the thinker in connection with the political and ideological situation in the country. It was shown that evaluating Confucius as a reactionary thinker during the Cultural Revolution, who attributed himself a “Sage’s wisdom”, served primarily for the political goals of the Communist Party of China of that period.