Cattāri Brahmavihārā

Manopubbangama dhamma manosettha manomaya; manasa ce padutthena bhasati va karoti va tato nam dukkham anveti cakkam va vahato padam.

Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief, they are all mine wrought. If with an impure mind a person speaks or acts, suffering follows him like the wheel that follows the foot of an ox.

About two years ago I took on the task of trying to memorize the Dhammapada. I was, as may be obvious, unsuccessful. I am reminding the effort here partly due to a Dhamma talk I listened to by Thanissaro Bhikkhu in which he discussed the importance of all of the voices we fill our heads with. If mind is the chief, I want to sure that it is the voice of Lord Buddha and not Joe Rogan that surfaces in a moment of danger.

I will try to find the talk and post it here.