Of course it matters. And losing one's mind does not prevent you from taking action, I would know, I founded a country while significantly more than half-mad.

[Beat.]

The question matters, because what direction you would apply yourself in anyway can shape the path with which you would atone. It would be meaningless for me to try to atone by healing people, because that is not within my natural ability and attempting to learn... Well, here it would be much easier, certainly, there do no seem to be near as many limitations on magic, but back on Eos it would have just been a waste of my energy. Using the skills and inclinations you already possess on your path of atonement is not shameful, it's practical.

And also...

[He glances away from the camera of his phone for the first time, looking perhaps a bit sheepish and running a hand through his hair. The politician is gone, now, replaced by a man who comes off as more his physical age, were it not for the fact that he is clearly very tired.]

To atone is work. It is not living. No matter how little you may think you deserve it now, humans cannot live without joy.

And if you seek to stop being cruel, that must also include being cruel to yourself.