鲁国自宣公以后，政权操在以季氏为首的三桓手中。昭公初年，三家又瓜分了鲁君的兵符军权。孔了曾对季氏“八佾舞于庭”的僭越行为表示愤慨。昭公二十五年（前517年）鲁国内乱，孔子离鲁至齐。齐景公向孔子问政，孔子说：“君君，臣臣，父父，子子。”又说：“政在节财。”齐政权操在大夫陈氏，景公虽悦孔子言而不能用。

Since the era of Lord Suen, Duke of Lo (鲁宣公), the governing power of the dukedom of Lo was in the hands of Gwai Si (季氏), the prime minister as well as the head of the Three Woon families (三桓).   At the beginning of the era of Lord Chiu, Duke of Lo (昭公), the Three Woon families divided the military control power from the Duke.  Confucius was furious about the imperial Eight Rolls Dance performed in the court of Gwai Si.  In the 25th year of Lord Chiu era, about 517 BC, Lo was in revolt, and Confucius left Lo to Chaai (齐, another feudal state). Lord Ging, Duke of Chaai (齐景公) asked him the skill to rule.  Confucius said, ‘ruler as a ruler, minister as a minister, father as a father, son as a son.’ and a ‘policy of controlling economic.’  However the ruling power of the dukedom of Chaai was in the hands of the Chan Si (陈氏, a high-ranking officer). Although delighted by the teachings of Confucius, Lord Ging still could not recruited Confucius in his court.       

　　 孔子在齐不得志，遂又返鲁，“退而修诗书礼乐，弟子弥众”，从远方来求学的，几乎遍及各诸候国。其时鲁政权操在季氏，而季氏又受制于其家臣阳货。孔子不满这种政不在君而在大夫，“陪臣执国命”的状况，不愿出仕。他说：“不义而富且贵，于我如浮云。”

Since he could not practice his wishes, Confucius returned to Lo.  He edited the poetry, archived records, ritual records and official music (诗书礼乐) and also taught a substantial amount of students.  Students came from far away almost from every feudal state.  At that time, Lo was controlled by the Gwai Si (季氏), who in turn was controlled by Yang Foh (阳货) a subordinate officer of the family.  Being not satisfied by such type of minor-officer-in-charge but not ruler-in-control situation and particularly ‘subordinate officer holding the fate of a state’ situation, Confucius refused to be commissioned as a ranking official.  He said, “ To me, to gain wealth and dignity under such not rightful manner, it is just like obtained the floating clouds.”