Duke Jing of Qi planned to offer Confucius a middle-tier official rank but later declined to employ him, claiming old age. Confucius left Qi at once, refusing a powerless post and upholding his dignity to seek a ruler willing to fully implement his moral ideals.
How great is the Way of the sage!Vast and overflowing – it nurtures all things, soaring up to the utmost heights of Heaven.