Why did people who made great achievements in literature in ancient times have a bad career?

As we all know, some accomplished writers in ancient China, such as Li Bai, Du Fu, Tao Yuanming and Su Shi, all entered the DPRK as officials, but their careers were rather bumpy, and even they all lost their lives in the end. Since ancient times, literati seem to have a kind of "lofty" disdain for being an official. They don't like the atmosphere of intrigue and interest exchange in officialdom. It is precisely because of this lofty, so that they "don't bow their heads" and look down on the smoothness that officialdom needs most. The result is to offend people everywhere and bring disaster to themselves. In addition, pedantry caused by lack of social experience is also an important reason why they are not suitable for being officials.

For example, Su Dongpo, a great writer in the Northern Song Dynasty, can be said that his road to officialdom is step by step, and there is no smooth sailing. As a scholar, Su Shi has the unique advantages of enthusiasm, seriousness and frankness. At the same time, he didn't know enough about social reality, and he didn't know how to "turn around" in interpersonal relationships, which led him to be too radical in the process of opposing Wang Anshi's political reform, offended many people, and even almost lost his head because the Wutai poetry case was framed.

Moreover, Li Bai, who lived in the prosperous Tang Dynasty, is like a dazzling pearl. His works are as flamboyant, enthusiastic and bold as his personality. Li Bai originally wanted to be an official, but because he was not reused, his sword went sideways and followed the wrong person, and he was almost beheaded. In addition, during his tenure as an official, he exposed many "faults" of literati, such as arrogance, arrogance and rigidity, which are taboos in officialdom.

However, many writers have written excellent works through the ages because of the frustration of officialdom. In a sense, this is also because you can't have your cake and eat it.