What Oidipous predicts for Teiresias actually applies to himself; through his suffering he will be brought to realize what can come of his own erroneous thought (οἷά περ φρονεῖς). If plague (whether in Thebes or in Athens) is a consequence of pollution, ignorance and impiety such as Oidipous’s may prove more devastating than any faction fight for political power. [Mpei] [P] [Mw] That such attitudes are in fact more pernicious than any political plot may have to be learned, however, “the hard way;” Athens’ present and future suffering are a necessary consequence of Athenian attitudes and intentions. [Gt-a]