Checking to see if I have String to Integer conversion correct in Java?

So I'm one of those type of people who has to be certain that he has things down pat and completely understand how it works and why it works before I move on. So...

String yourAge = console.readLine("How old are you? "); int age = Integer.parseInt(yourAge);

That means that the string above needs a numerical answer as an input correct? by using that method, if the person was to type in, for whatever reason, words. would that crash it like a bad smell? if so is there a way to get your question to be able to be answered with numbers or letters? and if so would it be extra lines of code or would it use something along the lines of a && method?

Also, when I type something like.

String moralCompass = "64";

why have the quotations made it acceptable?

Sorry about the newb questions, I haven't delved that much into coding yet and I'm still very new to this whole thing, I started with Java Basics and I've only just started on Objects but if anyone could clear those questions up for me it would be fantastic! While I can still go ahead and use the code I like to know hows its working and why?

I do get though that.

String answerToLife = "42"; int answer = Integer.parseInt(answerToLife); then takes that number and turns it into an integer, but wouldn't it just be simpler to go.

int answer = 42; ??

I assume there are different applications for this kind of code which is why you would need conversions, could someone give me an example or idea? All of these questions go through my head while I'm doing this hahahahaha. Thank you!

P.S. Sorry about the wall of text!!! :)