Why did Confucius leave his government position in Lu?

Confucius resigned from his government position in the state of Lu due to a protracted struggle with hereditary families who were attempting to usurp power from the state's legitimate rulers.1

Confucius viewed the actions of these families as transgressive and their disregard for ritual as objectionable. He actively sought to restore the ruler's authority, but a major confrontation in 498 BCE—involving a failed plan to steer these families toward self-ruin—led the family heads to suspect him. Consequently, Confucius had no choice but to leave his position and his home, beginning a 14-year period of self-exile during which he traveled to various states in search of a ruler who would adopt his vision of virtuous government.1