The people of Qi presented a group of female singers and dancers to the state of Lu, and Ji Huanzi, the chief minister of Lu, gladly accepted them. He became so engrossed in the female entertainers that he did not attend the court to handle state affairs for three consecutive days. Seeing this situation, Confucius resolutely resigned from his post and departed from Lu.
Note
This brief record is a major turning point in Confucius’ political career, vividly demonstrating his clarity, bottom line in political choices, and his principle of “when principles differ, one cannot plan together”:
- Political Bottom Line and the Collapse of Rituals:
As a powerful minister in Lu, Ji Huanzi should have set a good example in promoting rituals and music. Instead, he openly accepted the corrupting scheme from a rival state (Qi), indulged in sensual pleasures, and neglected his court duties. In Confucius’ view, this was not only a failure of personal morality but also a clear signal of the collapse of national etiquette and the descent of politics into darkness. Confucius knew well that in a court that could not even maintain basic political rules, it was completely impossible to implement his ideals of “benevolent governance” and “restoring the Zhou rituals.” - The Independent Character of Cutting Losses Promptly:
Faced with the corruption of the powerful minister, Confucius did not choose to drift with the tide, nor did he try to bitterly persuade someone who pretended to be asleep; instead, he chose to “depart.” This demonstrates the Confucian way of advancing and retreating: “Serve when the state is well-governed; when it is ill-governed, one can roll up his principles and hide.” Confucius placed the realization of the “Way” above his own high office and wealth. Once the political environment violated his principles, he promptly withdrew, maintaining the independent character and spiritual purity of an intellectual.
The core of this thought lies in “adhering to the righteous path” and “knowing when to advance or retreat.” Although Confucius faced endless hardships throughout his life, he never compromised on his political bottom line. This experience proves that a true gentleman will never give up his pure pursuit of ideals for the sake of a precarious official position.
Further Reading
The Master said, “When the Way prevails in the world, show yourself; when it does not, hide.”
The Master said, “When principles differ, one cannot plan together.”
Duke Jing of Qi, when discussing how to treat Confucius, said, “I cannot treat him with the same high status as the Ji clan; however, I can offer him a treatment somewhere between the Ji and Meng clans.” Later, he also said, “I am old and cannot employ him anymore.” Confucius departed.
These chapters collectively depict Confucius’ “way of advancing and retreating” and his independent character in political adversity. Whether emphasizing the philosophy of “showing yourself when the Way prevails, and hiding when it does not,” declaring the resoluteness of “when principles differ, one cannot plan together,” or decisively leaving Lu when the chief minister neglected the court, their core logic is highly consistent: Confucianism highly values the realization of the “Way” and the clarity of the political environment in political participation. They jointly prove that Confucius never regarded holding office as a means to gain fame and profit, but as a path to practice his ideals. Once the political environment violated the “Way,” he would unhesitatingly withdraw and never drift with the tide.
齊人歸女樂，季桓子受之。三日不朝，孔子行。
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