Core Points - The story serves as a cautionary tale about debt and the responsibilities of parenthood, illustrating the idea that raising children can feel like repaying a debt from a past life [4][5] - The narrative reflects on the philosophical concepts of fate and the interconnectedness of life and death, suggesting that life is a series of debts and repayments, both literal and metaphorical [6][7] - The text emphasizes the importance of enjoying life and the struggles that come with it, rather than viewing existence solely as a burden of debts to be repaid [5][6] Summary by Sections - **Debt and Parenthood**: The protagonist, a wealthy man, dreams of a debt he must repay, which he associates with the birth of his son, leading him to treat the child's upbringing as a repayment of this debt [3][4] - **Philosophical Reflections**: The story delves into Buddhist and Confucian themes, discussing the nature of existence, the inevitability of suffering, and the cyclical nature of life and death [6][7] - **Life's Enjoyment**: It argues against the notion that life is merely about repaying debts, advocating for the enjoyment of life's experiences and the fulfillment found in overcoming challenges [5][6]

《四十千》插图 王蒙 新城县王大司马，有位主管钱财账目的用人，他虽然不是什么官员，但家底不菲。一天，突然梦见一个 人急匆匆跑进家，对他说："你欠的四十贯钱，今应该偿还了。"问是什么意思，没有回答，直进内宅。 梦醒，得知妻子生了个男孩，心想得此子正是自己上辈子留下的孽债。于是，他把四十贯钱捆好，放在 一间屋内。孩子衣食医药所用的一切开销，都从这里支取。过了三四年，察看一下屋里的钱，还存有七 百钱，这回赶上乳母抱着孩子过来，他在孩子的身边叫着名字与儿子说笑，他说："四十贯钱快花没 了，你也该走了吧？"说着，孩子脸色生变，头歪眼瞪，抚慰他时，已经断气。于是，取出剩下的钱， 买了治丧的用品，埋葬了孩子。 这件事可以算是对欠债者的告诫。 抱怨养活培育孩子之麻烦如同上辈子欠了账，不足为奇，平庸一般。但与孩子一亮明，孩子变脸歪头瞪 眼，嗝儿屁着凉，着实吓死人。 故事惊人，即使你坚信一切是命中注定，果由因生，似乎也还不能对于人生诸变反应得如此冰冷、严 酷、苛刻！除了欠账不欠账，父母与子女之间毕竟心连心，肉连肉，父母是生命的来源，子女是生命的 延续。 过往有个人年老无子，为此请教一位高僧，僧人说："你既不欠别人的，别人又不欠你 ...