[LOVEBoy]

however, looking at the matter more academically, i am not sure the Dhammapada helps us

chapter 1 of the Dhammapada states:

Manopubbaṅgamā dhammā, manoseṭṭhā manomayā;
Manasā ce paduṭṭhena, bhāsati vā karoti vā;
Tato naṃ dukkhamanveti, cakkaṃva vahato padaṃ.

Manopubbaṅgamā dhammā, manoseṭṭhā manomayā;
Manasā ce pasannena, bhāsati vā karoti vā;
Tato naṃ sukhamanveti, chāyāva anapāyinī

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

Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief; they are all mind-wrought.
If with a pure mind a person speaks or acts
Happiness follows him like his never-departing shadow. however, chapter 3 of the Dhammapada states:

Phandanaṃ capalaṃ cittaṃ, dūrakkhaṃ dunnivārayaṃ;
Ujuṃ karoti medhāvī, usukārova tejanaṃ.

Just as a fletcher straightens an arrow shaft, even so the discerning man straightens his mind
So fickle and unsteady, so difficult to guard.

Vārijova thale khitto, okamokataubbhato;
Pariphandatidaṃ cittaṃ, māradheyyaṃ pahātave.

a fish when pulled out of water and cast on land throbs and quivers,
even so is this mind agitated. Hence should one abandon the realm of Mara.

Dunniggahassa lahuno, yatthakāmanipātino;
Cittassa damatho sādhu, cittaṃ dantaṃ sukhāvahaṃ.

so difficult to subdue, ever swift, and seizing whatever it desires.
Wonderful, indeed, it is to subdue the mind. A tamed mind brings happiness.

Sududdasaṃ sunipuṇaṃ, yatthakāmanipātinaṃ;
Cittaṃ rakkhetha medhāvī, cittaṃ guttaṃ sukhāvahaṃ.

Let the discerning man guard the mind, so difficult to detect and extremely subtle,
seizing whatever it desires. A guarded mind brings happiness.

Dūraṅgamaṃ ekacaraṃ asarīraṃ guhāsayaṃ;
Ye cittaṃ saṃyamessanti, mokkhanti mārabandhanā.

Dwelling in the cave (of the heart), the mind, without form, wanders far and alone.
Those who subdue this mind are liberated from the bonds of Mara.

Anavaṭṭhitacittassa, saddhammaṃ avijānato;
Pariplavapasādassa, paññā na paripūrati.

Wisdom never becomes perfect in one whose mind is not steadfast,
who knows not the Good Teaching and whose faith wavers.

Anavassutacittassa, ananvāhatacetaso;
Puññapāpapahīnassa, natthi jāgarato bhayaṃ.

for an awakened one whose mind is not sodden (by lust) nor afflicted (by hate),
and who has gone beyond both merit and demerit. There is no fear

Kumbhūpamaṃ kāyamimaṃ viditvā, nagarūpamaṃ cittamidaṃ ṭhapetvā;
Yodhetha māraṃ paññāvudhena, jitañca rakkhe anivesano siyā.

Realizing that this body is as fragile as a clay pot, and fortifying this mind like a well-fortified city,
fight out Mara with the sword of wisdom. Then, guarding the conquest, remain unattached.

Aciraṃ vatayaṃ kāyo, pathaviṃ adhisessati;
Chuddho apetaviññāṇo, niratthaṃva kaliṅgaraṃ.

Ere long, alas! this body will lie upon the earth,
bereft of consciousness, unheeded and lifeless, like a useless log.

Diso disaṃ yaṃ taṃ kayirā, verī vā pana verinaṃ;
Micchāpaṇihitaṃ cittaṃ, pāpiyo naṃ tato kare.

Whatever harm an enemy may do to an enemy, or a hater to a hater,
an ill-directed mind inflicts on oneself a greater harm.

Na taṃ mātā pitā kayirā, aññe vāpi ca ñātakā;
Sammāpaṇihitaṃ cittaṃ, seyyaso naṃ tato kare

Neither mother, father, nor any other relative
can do one greater good than one's own well-directed mind.