Shankara's Vivekachudamani is a popular Vedanta text which gives its basic principles. This translation, a work by a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, was transcribed from notes taken by Ida Ansell, an American devotee who attended Swami Turiyananda's classes at the turn of the century. Text in Sanskrit, transliteration, and English translation. A verse index in Sanskrit is included.
This I have seen in life -- those who are overcautious about themselves fall into dangers at every step; those who are afraid of losing honor and respect, get only disgrace; and those who are always afraid of loss, always lose.
-Swami Vivekananda