When Kreon claims not to know why Teiresias said nothing about the commission of Laios’ murder after it occurred, he may well be speaking truthfully, but his explanation that he prefers not to give his view on matters that he does not understand suggests that he has in fact formulated an explanation. Indeed, the audience itself has formulated an idea of why Teiresias at first refused to answer Oidipous’s questions and also already suspects that Kreon’s speculations have carried him to the supposition that Apollo’s prophecies concerning Laios may have been borne out. Supposing that Oidipous killed Laios and also that he is Laios’ son, Kreon may well, like the audience, have begun to realize the magnitude of the god’s project in regard to Laios and Oidipous. So, although not fully understanding the god’s project, Kreon might suppose that his comments would interfere with it and would therefore be inappropriate. [P] Thus, he seems to join Teiresias in respecting what he takes to be the god’s needs and so saying as little as possible about his revelations regarding the extent of Oidipous’s responsibility for Laios’ death. As the audience perceives Kreon’s circumspection to be dictated by his pious deference to the god, it might realize that in this respect he comprehends Teiresias perfectly; Teiresias’ss self-restraint and his own are alike motivated by their understanding that the god is at work and wants no unsolicited assistance; under these circumstances (i.e. a divine project underway) inaction and silence are preferable to unguided actions and uncomprehending explanations. [Apao]