In plain words
A miserable state comes upon them. But it is only for a time. There is always a chance in their lives to recover, and to reach a high place again.
The man of virtue alone is strong
Whether as individuals or as a society, along with the health and strength of the body we must also nurture good qualities. Only a hero in action can shine in this world. So, along with our education, the chief duty of students is to develop good qualities as well. There is a ball. Throw it down, and it bounces back up. So too is the life of a noble person, one who has gratitude. Even if at some time he falls into a low state, after a while he can rise again. Throw a lump of clay down, and it does not bounce up. A person without gratitude, a person without good qualities, once he has fallen, cannot rise again. He cannot reach a high state. In the war with Rāvaṇa, a figure came face to face with them: radiant, mighty, shining with splendour, and filled with anger. Seeing his radiance, his strength and his valour, Rāma asks Vibhīṣaṇa: “Who is that great one?” “Rāma, that is Your enemy, Rāvaṇa,” said Vibhīṣaṇa. “Aha! So radiant, so valiant, so mighty is this Rāvaṇa, and only because he has a base mind has he sunk to so low a state. Had it not been so, he would have shone as the lord of the three worlds,” Rāma marvelled.
Students! However much strength of arm, strength of intelligence, strength of learning and strength of science we may have, without the strength of virtue it all takes the shape of nothing but a demonic trait. Along with all these strengths we must add the strength of virtue as well. We must achieve it. There is nothing at all in this world that a person of good character cannot achieve. Many hardships and sorrows keep pursuing us in life. Blame and harsh words, too, keep pursuing us. The one who bears all this, pushes on through it and achieves is the true human being. We must develop self-confidence and inner strength. One who is weak in inner strength cannot achieve even the smallest task.