Decline

Original Text:

孔子曰禄之去公室五世矣政逮于大夫四世矣故夫三桓之子孙微矣

Translation:

Other Translations:

Confucius said, “It has been five generations since control of state finances left the Ducal house, and four generations since governmental power fell into in the hands of its ministers. This is why the descendents of the Three Huan are in decline.”

Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Confucius said, Five generations have gone by since the right of making awards passed out of the hands of the ducal house of Lu, and four generations since the power of government came to be exercised by the high officials. Therefore, the three houses that descend from Duke Huan of Lu are now growing powerless.

Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.