In plain words
Such was the question it put. In answer to it:
To a father of good character and a mother faithful to her husband no man who is born is moved by this.
So Lakṣmaṇa answers. ‘Only one in whose mother or father there is some fault falls prey to such feelings; but one whose parents both have pure and sacred feelings never at any time takes part in such impurities,’ he said. The parrot put another question: ‘When the mind roams like an elephant in rut, that is, at a time when it forgets good and bad and only roams as it pleases, what restraint can this young man exercise?’ it said. ‘Though it be an elephant in rut, though it roam as it pleases, I can hold it back with the goad called Jñāna,’ he said. ‘An elephant in rut can do nothing to one who has the goad called Jñāna,’ said Lakṣmaṇa. At once the parrot took on Rāma's form: ‘Lakṣmaṇa! It was not for your sake. I know the truth about you. But I tested you in this way to make it known to the world,’ said Rāma. So only when the young develop such sacred character will they become ones who have brought true humanness to its fullness. In our institution of learning, the chief education is the very nurturing of our character. What use are any number of studies without it? All these studies are nothing but rubbish learning! However many śāstras, itihāsas and Purāṇas we may read, however many kinds of worldly secrets we may have come to know, if true virtue itself is lacking, it is a life of no use. So along with learning we must nurture good qualities.