English Original
There was a rich merchant who had four wives. He loved the fourth wife the most, adorning her with rich robes and treating her to delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.
He also loved his third wife very much and was proud of her, always wanting to show her off. Yet, he constantly feared she might leave him for another.
He loved his second wife as well. She was considerate, patient, and his confidante. Whenever he faced problems, he turned to her, and she always helped him through difficult times.
His first wife was a loyal partner who contributed greatly to his wealth, business, and household. However, the merchant did not love her and hardly noticed her, though she loved him deeply.
One day, the merchant fell ill and knew he was dying. Reflecting on his luxurious life, he lamented, "I have four wives now, but I'll die alone. How lonely I'll be!"
He asked his fourth wife, "I loved you most and gave you everything. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me?" "No way!" she replied, walking away without another word.
The answer cut like a knife. He then asked the third wife, "I've loved you all my life. Will you follow me?" "No!" she said. "Life is good here. I'll remarry when you die." His heart sank.
He asked the second wife, "You've always helped me. Will you follow me now?" "I'm sorry, I can't," she replied. "At most, I can only send you to your grave." The merchant was devastated.
Then a voice called out, "I'll go with you. I'll follow you wherever you go." It was his first wife. She was skinny, as if malnourished. Greatly grieved, the merchant said, "I should have taken better care of you when I could."
In truth, we all have four wives in our lives.
The fourth wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish on it, it leaves us when we die.
The third wife is our possessions, status, and wealth. When we die, they all pass to others.
The second wife is our family and friends. No matter how close they are in life, the furthest they can accompany us is to the grave.
The first wife is our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of material wealth and sensual pleasure.
Guess what? It is the only thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it's wise to cultivate and strengthen it now, rather than lamenting on our deathbed.
中文翻译
从前，一位富商有四位妻子。他最宠爱第四位妻子，给她华服美食，极尽呵护，把最好的都给了她。
他也非常爱他的第三位妻子，并以她为荣，总想向朋友炫耀她。然而，他始终害怕她会跟别人跑掉。
他也爱他的第二位妻子。她体贴、耐心，是他的红颜知己。每当他遇到问题，都会向她求助，而她总能帮他渡过难关。
他的第一位妻子是一位忠诚的伴侣，为维护他的财富、事业和照料家庭做出了巨大贡献。然而，商人并不爱她，尽管她深爱着他，他却几乎没注意过她。
一天，商人生病了，不久便知自己将不久于人世。他回想自己奢华的生活，哀叹道：“我现在有四位妻子，但死后却要孤身一人。多么孤独啊！”
他问第四位妻子：“我最爱你，给了你最好的衣物和无微不至的照顾。如今我将死去，你愿意跟随我，陪伴我吗？”“绝不可能！”她答道，头也不回地走了。
这回答像一把尖刀刺入商人的心。悲伤的商人接着问第三位妻子：“我一生都如此爱你。如今我将死去，你愿意跟随我，陪伴我吗？”“不！”她说，“这里的生活多美好啊！你死后我就要改嫁了！”商人的心沉了下去，变得冰冷。
他又问第二位妻子：“我总是向你求助，你也总是帮我。现在我又需要你的帮助了。我死后，你愿意跟随我，陪伴我吗？”“抱歉，这次我帮不了你，”她答道，“我最多只能送你到坟墓边。”这回答如晴天霹雳，商人崩溃了。
这时一个声音响起：“我会跟你走。无论你去哪里，我都会跟随你。”原来是他的第一位妻子。她骨瘦如柴，仿佛营养不良。商人悲痛万分，说道：“我本应在有能力的时候更好地照顾你！”
事实上，我们每个人的生命中都拥有四位妻子。
第四位妻子是我们的身体。无论我们花费多少时间和精力去装扮它，死后它终将离我们而去。
第三位妻子是我们的财产、地位和财富。当我们死去，这一切都将归于他人。
第二位妻子是我们的家人和朋友。无论他们生前与我们多么亲近，最多也只能陪我们走到坟墓边。
第一位妻子其实是我们的灵魂，却常常在我们追求物质、财富和感官享乐时被忽视。
知道吗？它才是唯一无论我们去往何方都会跟随我们的东西。或许，现在就着手培养和强化它是个好主意，而不是等到临终时才来哀叹惋惜。