Religion. Sex. Power.

The Bible says we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. I can’t think of the last time I heard a sermon about self-deception -- how we fool ourselves and convince ourselves that we are invincible. When you’re in a powerful position, it’s even more tempting to see yourself as above reproach, invincible. I won’t be like the next guy. That cocktail of ego, ambition, and self-righteousness causes so many problems for these political leaders, and for business leaders as well. If you convince yourself that you won’t fall prey to those problems, it creates a false persona.

Given the track record of the past four years, do you think that the family-values political movement still has credibility in the broader culture?

I think the American electorate is sick of hearing people opine about the state of the American family. Perhaps what is most sickening to many skeptical voters is a conservative politician who talks about the threat and danger of gay marriage while staying silent about the threat and danger of adultery or divorce. Adultery and divorce are just as pernicious, if not more so, to the stability of our children growing up in families where they know they’re loved and where family life is actually life-giving.

Michael, you’ve clearly thought and written a lot about what it’s like to enter the halls of power. What advice would you give someone planning to embark on a career path that will lead them into positions of elite influence, whether it’s politics or business or something else?

Make sure your marriage is strong and you’ve got the staunch support of the people who know and love you best. They’ve got to be convinced this is a calling, not just for you, but also for them, because you’re bringing them along in that process, and see if you can get a group of friends who can be supporters, even if it’s a matter of having a telephone appointment once a month. You need a group of people who can support and encourage you and make sure you’re holding true to your values.

Then, in the process, identify some people who have been successful in politics over the long haul, people whom you respect for their lives and integrity; seek out their counsel, because they’ve figured out how to maneuver around these potential pitfalls and perhaps they can point you in the right direction.

We close each installment of the Veritas Riff series with three questions. The first question is, more broadly: What are you surprised by these days?

I’ve spent the last couple of years studying the lives of great leaders, their networks, their upbringing and their motivations. I’ve been surprised at how little your family’s socio-economic status means in your likelihood to succeed. For earlier generations, if you wanted to be a senior business leader or college president, you really needed to come from a family where your father made a lot of money and you had enjoyed the privileges and opportunities that came along with wealth.

Not anymore. It’s a whole different ballgame now. Now we find that early career opportunities -- such as the chance to apprentice with a great leader while you’re in your 20s -- are far more likely to predict whether you will rise to a senior leadership position. That’s been really surprising to me.

That’s encouraging news. The second question is: What are you concerned about these days?

I’m concerned by how little attention we give to the importance of cultivating virtues in our lives. One particular virtue that deserves a lot more attention is the virtue of rest. The concept of Sabbath rest can be found in many of the major world religions, including Judaism and Christianity. But we live in a frenetic world where we don’t practice restraining our ambition, bridling our sense of doing something big for the world. We’re constantly trying to improve and outwork the next person.

That’s setting us up for long-term failure. In that environment, it’s hard to keep things in balance and develop nurturing relationships with our families. We can convince ourselves that we’re part of what’s saving the world, when in fact we play a very small role. Practicing Sabbath rest is one way of exercising humility, but we do it very, very poorly in this country.

Finally, Michael, what are you feeling hopeful about these days?

I work everyday at Rice with fantastic, talented, bright undergraduates, many of whom have noble dreams and high hopes and the ability and skills actually to achieve some of them. I’m more encouraged than ever because those young people are genuinely committed not just to advancing their own personal agendas, but to the common good, to a vision for human flourishing that advances the interests of all.

That’s a promising sign. I hope that their enthusiasm percolates out and more of us catch it in the days ahead.

For other episodes, transcripts, and other information regarding the Veritas Riff series, see veritasriff.org.