The next night at Mexico City, the cher ami wishes to know about Clamence’s job as a “judge-penitent.” Clamence explains that he was recently a well-respected lawyer in Paris who took on the “noble cases” of widows and orphans (18). Clamence had a robust physique and good health, and he was considered virtuous by his peers. He hated judges.

Clamence was deeply satisfied with being on the right side of the law. He believes all people crave lawfulness, being right, and high self-esteem. He recounts a story of a client who murdered his own wife because she was a good person and he was not. Clamence reasons that by killing her, his client felt like a better person since his highly virtuous wife was gone.

Clamence’s peers were highly jealous of his situation. Clamence enjoyed defending criminals and persuading the court of his clients’ nobility. Clamence never took bribes or bribed journalists. He was offered the Legion of Honor several times, the highest honor that can be awarded in France, and he turned it down every time.

Clamence was an empathetic person who enjoyed helping others. He recounts helping blind people cross streets, helping people carry heavy packages, and giving money to unhoused people.