In plain words
In the same way, we must first recognise the truth that the good and the bad of your future rest on the very karmas we do in our present state. A man's worth lies not in the least in his good looks, or in his property and possessions, or in the pomp of power, or in lands, riches and the like. Goods, money, gold, vehicles and all such things are only things that melt away like clouds; they can never be lasting. But a man's worth rests on good character alone. In the effort to nourish such sacred good character, the young people of today must carry on with the right efforts. We may have money, gold, goods, vehicles and the like. But only when, along with them, we keep this good character foremost in view, will our life have not only lasting fame and lasting Ānanda; you can be an example to the world as well. You already know how Viśvāmitra, relying on the strength of his intellect and the strength of his body, stepped forward to pick a fight with the revered Vasiṣṭha. But in the very end all his weapons were rendered powerless, and his bodily strength too wasted away. Even his intellect ceased to shine at all. In this plight he recognised that ‘Weak is the strength of the kṣatriya’, and that the strength of brahma-tejas is the true strength; then he set out in search of the power of tapas. Developing that strength of tejas, we must today take the vow fit for the conquest of every quarter that we have to achieve in the world. Whatever task a man sets out to enter upon, he should first examine his own strength and the strength of his intellect, and then set about doing the task. If he does not recognise his own nature, does not weigh his own strength, and, thinking he can achieve something or other, leans on some passing strength and pushes forward, he can meet with defeat. Today, not only among students but in the common run of men too, a man who leans on passing strength alone and pushes forward can meet with defeat. Today, not only among students but in the common run of men too, people lean on passing strength alone, go ahead without the least thought for what is going to happen, and afterwards fall into worries of many kinds.